Legion of Mary 105th Anniversary Mass

At the request of Fr Peter Aduaka VC, Spiritual Advisor of the Legion of Mary in Trinidad and Tobago and some eight Caribbean Councils, the Legion’s Annual Anniversary Mass was held at St Dominic’s RC Church, Penal, on Saturday, September 5. The red dress code displayed by some 250 legionaries was matched by the powerful out pouring of the Holy Spirit during the entire event.

A short procession which preceded Holy Mass began promptly at 9 a.m. Legionaries praying the rosary, equipped with lighted candles and banners, processed around the nearby Savannah with the statue of Our Lady of Grace, reverentially held aloft. Upon the return to the church, the Hail Marys resounded at the entrance rousing those whose legs did not permit them to walk, to stand at last and join in the recitation of the final mystery of the rosary.

Holy Mass, celebrated by Fr Peter, followed at 10 a.m. The liturgical music, enhanced by appropriate hymn selections, was ably led by musicians/junior legionaries of Presentation College San Fernando (PCSF) and the Longdenville Church Choir.

Representing PCSF were: Selas Perreira (guitar/vocals), Reuben Soobramani (keyboard), Logan Foster (bass guitar), Luka Foster (drum set), Alex Teekasingh (vocals), Jeron Corrie (vocals) and graduate Jaedon Ramesar (vocals).

Fr Peter’s spirited homily served to remind all legionaries that the Legion of Mary was created by Frank Duff to attend to the spiritual needs of the ostracised and the most wretched in society, seeing in each one of them the ‘Person of Jesus Christ Himself’.

Working at all times for the honour and glory of God was also emphasised by Fr Peter, as he referred to Mary’s humility and faith that should be emulated by legionaries. Older members of the various legionary groups were also encouraged by Fr Peter to forget the limitations of their ailing bodies and to rely on the strength of the ‘engine’, the Holy Spirit power within them that would enable them to continue to work under the guidance of Our Blessed Mother.

Sister Muriel Brereton-Charles, President of the Regia–Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, thanked the legionaries for their attendance and commitment to the promise that is made to the Holy Spirit upon entering the ranks of the Legion. The youths of Presentation College were also commended for their work as young valiant soldiers of Christ.

She stressed that the numerous distinctions received by these boys in their recent CSEC Examinations have certainly discredited the view held by some parents that their children would not do well in their studies if they were allowed to join the Legion of Mary and other parish groups.

The lusty singing throughout Holy Mass climaxed in the recessional hymn, ‘All is in the hands of Mary’ as priest and legionaries danced along the aisles, making their way to the room where lunch was served and sweet camaraderie followed.

The legionaries, representing North, South, East and West Trinidad, began to depart around 2 p.m. with the last vehicle making its way out of the church yard around 3 p.m.

The Legion of Mary is truly alive and ready to receive all who are interested in actively serving God in union with Mary.

—Francisca Allard, Secretary of the Regia, Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash