Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is a world-wide association of Catholics whose members are service oriented on prayer and the facilitation of the spiritual works of mercy. Guidance is provided from a priest of the parish. The primary purpose of the Legion of Mary is to lead people to Jesus Christ through the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate Mediatrix of all Grace by pro-active prayers and spiritual works.

This group, dedicated to our Blessed Mother, meets Wednesdays at 3:00pm in the Senior Lounge. Both men and women are welcome to attend. The works of the Legion include home visitation, rest home and care center visitations, Pilgrim Virgin and Enthronments to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

For more information, please call Rosemary at 602-690-7702.

Auxiliary members

1. Recite the 5-decade Rosary daily.
2. Say the prayers contained in the Legion of Mary prayer card called Tessera”.

Active members

Visitation of the homes of the people has traditionally been the preferred work of the legion; its special occupation everywhere; its avenue of greatest good; the apple of its apostolic eye. There are so many avenues of approach, that each team of Legionaires may choose a favorite.

The devotions of the Sacred Heart Enthronement and the Pilgrim Virgin Visit provides an especially favorable introduction of the Legion, and may include the blessing of the home.

The most important point of visitation is of course, that each home be contacted with loving and persevering effort directed towards each person of the household ascending a bit in spiritual life.

Again, these visitations form a most fruitful introduction, striking the right note of simple piety, facilitating acquaintance and repeated visits, bringing all the facts of Legionary work into being.

Visitation is so important because the home is spiritually the strategic point.

Visitation of the Nursing Homes is also a great favorite of the Legion. Where in the past, we were allowed to go door to door, visiting all residents of the Home, we now are limited to visiting those that have registered as Catholic and have requested visitation. It still allows us to say hello to those sharing a room or those in the hall or in the shared rooms of the Home. Often a chapel area is supplied for the occasional Mass or Communion Service, depending on the number of Catholics at the Residence.

First Saturday Devotion

The observance of the First Saturday in honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is intended to make reparation to Jesus and Mary for the sins of mankind. This devotion was revealed by the Blessed Virgin to three children. Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia to whom She appeared at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. On June 13, 1917, Our Lady specifically stated in speaking to Lucia that: “Jesus wants to make use of you to make Me known and loved”.  He wants to establish in the world devotion to My Immaculate Heart.

Our Lady repeated this in the July 13th apparition when after the vision of Hell that was granted to the three children she said “You have seen Hell. Where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to My Immaculate Heart, if what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. “ Our Lady asks for reparation. “There are so many souls whom the Justice of God condemns for sins committed against Me, that I have come to ask reparation.”

“O my Jesus, I offer this for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinner’s and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary "(Sacrifice Prayer)

The following First Saturday devotions are efficacious in honoring the Immaculate Heart of Mary:

1. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
2. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
3. Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
4. Act of Reparation
5. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
6. The Sacrament of Reconciliation

“I promise to help at the hour of death, with the graces needed for salvation, whoever on the First Saturday of five consecutive months shall:

1. Confess and Receive Holy Communion
2. Recite five decades of the Holy Rosary
3. Keep me company for fifteen minutes while mediation on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to Me. (My Immaculate Heart.)”

The Legion of Mary, Our Lady of Joy Praesidium, sponsors a First Saturday of the Month devotion to our Blessed Mother each month after the 8:30am Mass.

Pilgrim Virgin Home Visitation Program

1. The most suitable place in the home has been chosen as the area where our Blessed Mother’s statue will be placed.
2. A decorative table cloth is placed on the surface, and flowers are placed there.
3. Our Blessed Mother is brought into your home as Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Grace, or as Our Lady of Guadalupe, with love and reverence.
4. The statue of our Blessed Mother is placed at her prepared shrine, with candles.
5. The family and friends gather about their heavenly Mother. It is time to pray.
   Mary Comes to our Home. Invocation to the Holy Spirit. Welcome to Mary. Mary’s Response – The Magnificat. Recitation to the Holy Spirit. Welcome To Mary. Mary’s Response – The Magnificat. Recitation of the Holy Rosary. Mary’s Special Prayers.

Whenever possible, the statue remains in the same home for a week or two, and the family is encouraged to recite the Rosary each day.  The following week, the same home is visited by the Legion of Mary, who fosters the Pilgrim Virgin program and the second part of the prayer program entitled:  “Mary’s Farewell” is recited.  Our Blessed Mother is once again ready to travel to another home of one of her children.

If you are interested in having Our Blessed Mother in your home for a visit, please call or text Gladys Cisneros, President of Our Lady of Joy Praesidium SJA, at 602-595-9313.

The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart Program

As it is the mission of Mary to bring about the reign of Jesus, so there is a special mission of the Legion of Mary to hold the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the homes of our parishioners.

The family is asked to obtain the picture of Our Lord’s Sacred Heart (w/wo Immaculate Heart of Mary) of their choice and decide where the image will be placed. This is an event where an image of Our Lord’s Sacred Heart is given a place of honor in the home. On the day of the ceremony, the head of the family/individual carries the image of the Sacred Heart to His place of Honor in the home. It is blessed with Holy Water and all kneel/sit and pray. The presider explains the meaning of the Consecration and all stand and recite the Creed and Act of Consecration. We ask for a blessing and sing a closing hymn to the Sacred Heart. A certificate and badge may be left with the family. 

If you are interested in having this program take place in your home, email or text Sheryl Watts, Member of Our Lady of Joy Praesidium SJA, at 480-414-1904 or shywatz@gmail.com.

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