The religious group was founded in Ireland on September 7, 1921, by a group of people desirous of serving Christ in the poor, not only materially.

Newsroom (August 24, 2021 5:25 PM, Gaudium Press) Next September 7, the religious movement of the “Legion of Mary” will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its foundation. To commemorate this event, the Austrian branch of the movement is preparing a series of events that will begin on September 3.

The opening celebration of the centennial of the Legio Mariae will be held in the Rochus Church in Vienna. This will be followed by a street apostolate in various places in the city and a “Night of Mercy” in St. Peter’s Church in the Graben. Eucharistic adoration will begin in the chapel “Light of the Nations” of the Pontifical Missionary Works and will last for three days. In addition, festive religious services, prayer events, a procession through Vienna’s city center and a Mariological Congress in the Hall of Sciences are also planned.

Founding of the Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary was founded in Ireland on September 7, 1921, by a group of religiously motivated people who wanted to serve Christ in the poor, not only materially but also by attending to the spiritual needs of these less fortunate people.

The movement arrived in Austria in early 1949, after a series of sermons given by the priest and philosopher Friedrich Wessely. Initially, the group had 18 members who went from door to door visiting and caring for converts, as well as preparing children for their first communion.

Expansion of the Legion of Mary

Beginning in 1957, members from Austria were also active in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Yugoslavia, as well as in Poland, Romania, Moldavia, and Bulgaria, where they made a decisive contribution to the Legion’s expansion. Since 2008, the Austrian Senatus has also been officially responsible for the Legion of Mary in Ukraine.

Currently, the Legion of Mary in Austria has more than 10,000 members, of whom 1,500 are active members (“legionaries”) and 8,500 are prayer members (“auxiliary legionaries”). These members are organized into 249 ‘Praesidia’ for adults and 16 for youth, as well as 46 Curias and Communes. 550 priests have been assigned to the groups as spiritual directors. The Legion of Mary is also part of the Council of Catholic Laity. (EPC)

Compiled by Zephania Gangl