Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Fides Service) - To celebrate 50 years of activity the Legion of Mary group organised, in this Year of the Eucharist, a National Congress in Seoul on the theme 'Living the Year of the Eucharist with Mary'. Some 13,000 Legion of Mary members from all over the country attended the Congress which called them “to become through spiritual renewal channels of evangelisation”.
In a final statement the participants said they were determined to face the challenges of the future: proclaim the Gospel to the world;be humble and faithful collaborators with the parish priests; live a life of continual prayer inspired by Mary.
Archbishop Nicholas Cheong of Seoul who presided the closing Eucharistic celebration said “50 years ago the annual percentage of new baptisms in Korea was 1%; today it is 10%. Behind this growth there is also dedicated commitment on the part of the Legion of Mary”.
The Legion of Mary an apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church, has well over 3 million active members in almost every country of the world. Works include besides daily rosary, door-to-door evangelization, parishioner visitation, prison ministry, visitation of the sick or aged, crowd contact, religious education, visiting the newly baptized. Legionaries are under the guidance of a spiritual director named by the parish priest. The Legion is, in essence, an extension of the heart and hands of the parish priest.
Since January this year the Korea’s Legion of Mary members included the success of the Congress in the intentions of their daily rosary invoking the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Church and the country. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 6/9/2005 righe 15 parole 175)
