Acies 2021 Was Almost As Usual
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
April 8, 2021
BELVIDERE—The annual Acies of the Legion of Mary welcomed about 45 people from several areas of the diocese on March 27, to St. James Church, here.
Masks, social distancing and prayers done without touching the Legion’s Vexillum — a standard that includes elements of the Miraculous Medal — were in place as participants completed a rosary procession, additional prayers and Mass.
Lunch followed at an area restaurant along with a talk on St. Joseph by Father Steven Sabo, diocesan Legion of Mary spiritual director.
After his homily Father Sabo witnessed the individual acts of consecration made by each member standing before the Vexillum and a statue of Mary, saying, “I am all yours, my Queen, my Mother, and all that I have is yours.”
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics whose members, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbors in about 170 countries.
Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, the Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus.
To be an active legionary it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium (parish-level group), which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to the members, who generally work in pairs. The Legion also has Auxiliary members, who undertake a service of prayer in its name.
The Legion of Mary is celebrating 100 years this year. The first meeting was held in September of 1921 in Dublin, Ireland. The association’s central council meets monthly in Dublin.
The cause for beatification has been introduced for three legionaries:
â–º the Servant of God, Frank Duff (1889-1980), Founder of the Legion, who attended the Second Vatican Council as a lay observer;
â–º Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944), Legion Envoy to East Africa; and
â–º the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe (1932-1959), Legion Envoy to South America.
The basic unit of the Legion is called a praesidium, which is normally based in a parish. The praesidium, usually a group of three to 20 members, meets weekly.
The curia is the next level, each supervising several praesidia.
There are seven curia in the Diocese of Rockford, one each in Aurora, McHenry, Rockford, Wonder Lake and Woodstock, and two in Belvidere.
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