WOODSTOCK—It was a morning of reverence, prayer, song and total commitment to Mary. One could nearly feel Mary’s presence and the showering of graces given from a loving mother’s approval.

More than 50 members of the Legion of Mary from the Rockford Diocese gathered at St. Mary Parish in Woodstock on April 9 to celebrate the Acies, an annual ceremony designated to publicly express and renew their Consecration to Mary.

Pauline L’Heureaux, immediate past president of the Legion of Mary and a member of Holy Family Parish in Rockford, thoughtfully anticipated the most solemn and beautiful event which would take place.

“We are here to renew our promise to Mary by gathering together to obtain strength for the battles of Satan that will lie ahead,” L’Heureaux said. “As members of Mary’s army, we affirm true devotion to her through prayer and service.”

Everyone gathered in the church as the morning began with opening prayers and the rosary led by George Ferrari.

A procession was led by Jim Bartlett and Barbara Olson, current diocesan Legion of Mary president, as members processed around the church while saying the five decades of the Joyful Mysteries.

Bartlett carried the staff of Vexillum Legionis, an adaptation of the standard of the Roman Legion, emblazoned with the Miraculous Medal.

At the rosary’s conclusion, Father Burt Absalon, pastor of St. Mary Parish, spoke before the official consecration and Mass.

“Consecration means setting apart for a purpose; for God’s purpose,” he said. “God is love and in this Year of Mercy and consecration to Mary, say yes, I do. We have Mary’s help; we have the Memorare prayer.”

Mary’s simple beauty and humility were evident, as was the complete devotion of those who consecrated themselves to her, individually and collectively.

Each person placed a hand on the staff of the Vexillum, which was placed in front of the altar, silently praying, “I am all yours, my Queen, my Mother and all that I have is yours.”

Immediately following the ceremony, Father Absalon celebrated Mass. Dennis Gray, accompanied by music director Fred Wackenhut, led songs to honor Mary, including “Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman” and “Sing of Mary.”

At the conclusion of Mass before the blessing, Katherine Gray-Noon, the daughter of Dennis Gray, sang an inspirational “Ave Maria.” A member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Crystal Lake, Gray-Noon and her husband Stephen, sing at the Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. They sang at the funeral Mass for Cardinal Francis George and the installation of Archbishop Blase Cupich at the cathedral.

“My father invited me to sing today,” she said.

He nodded with pride and was clearly touched. “I have sung the Ave Maria in the past, but I knew that now was the time for Katherine to sing,” Gray said.

Long-time legion members, Evelyn Bartlett, mother of Jim Bartlett; Jim Keefe; and Teresita Endencia were present to reconsecrate themselves to Mary.

Endencia, who was a member of Holy Family Parish in Rockford, now lives with the Sisters of the Poor in Palatine. She made her first consecration to Mary at the age of 17 in the Philippines.

She came to Woodstock “so I would not miss my consecration to Mary.”

Bartlett, coordinator of this year’s Acies, became a member in 1997, following in his mother’s footsteps. His sister, Mary Bjork is also a member of St. Mary Parish, Woodstock, and the Legion of Mary.

President Barbara Olson had a fond memory of becoming involved with the Legion.

“I attended an Acies ceremony in 2011 with my friend, the late Norma Stein, whom I met through the Council of Catholic Women,” Olson said. “ She was so very devout and I was moved by the Acies ceremony.

“Mary is humble and it is our duty to say yes to her,” she added. “There are so many evils in the world and we must do what we can to combat the devil with her help.”

Members of the Legion of Mary meet weekly at their hom parishes. They say the rosary and other prayers then discuss what they accomplished during the week.

Service is a vital aspect of the Legion of Mary, including praying the rosary for others;  and taking communion to the sick, home bound, and the elderly in nursing homes.

Both Olson and L’Heureaux want to see the Legion of Mary grow and extend to even more than the present nine churches in the diocese.

“Consecration to Mary is not demanding,” Olson said. “It is through our love for Mary that we perform our service and actions wholly to Jesus. We are guided by the love of the Holy Spirit.

“Mary said yes to God and to the angel Gabriel,” she added. “We must say yes to her.”