ABOUT

​The birth of the Legion of Mary took place in the heart of a young 24 year old dedicated youth who had a distinguished career in the Civil Services in Dublin, Ireland. This youth, Frank Duff, found great joy in rendering his services to the needs of the poor and gave vent to this passion by joining the society of St. Vincent de Paul.

On 7th September 1921, on the eve of the feast of the Nativity of our Lady, this young devotee of our Lady, took courage and began the Lay Apostolic Organization with the sanction of the Church, which promoted the work of evangelization. Frank Duff along with a group of Catholic women and a Priest from Dublin Archdiocese formed the first branch, what we now call Praesidium of The legion of Mary. Frank Duff’s undertaking was a visible proof of the influence of the Holy Spirit and the exquisite touch of Mary’s hand in the birth of this organization. The Legion of Mary found worldwide growth due to Frank Duff’s guided and heroic dedication. Frank Duff was invited to attend the Second Vatican council as a lay observer. His work found favor for him to receive great appreciation and apostolic blessings from the then Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, who in one of his addresses delivered to a group of Italian Legionaries in 1982 said, “Your proper vocation as lay people is the vocation to be a leaven to the people of God, a Christian inspiration in the modern world, and to bring the priest to the people, is eminently ecclesial “

God called Frank Duff to his heavenly abode on 7th Nov 1980, he was 91 years then.

Works of Frank Duff did not go unnoticed as the Legion of Mary spread like a fire set ablaze, doing things which were marveled by the Church.

In filial dependence on Mary and protected by her maternal love, the Legion of Mary took pride in enlisting all her members in the Church's evangelizing works all over the world.

For all you who are inspired and touched by his life and the Charism of the Legion of Mary can read the official handbook of the legion wherein you will find Frank Duff’s profound insights into the role of the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the plan of redemption and the role of the lay faithful in the mission of the church. This handbook which was his own composition explains in detail the origin, object, spirit and working of the Association.

Many great thinkers and readers have found vital inspiration from this handbook. The Legion of Mary today is found in almost every country in the world and has nearly three million active members carrying out the work of evangelization and getting many auxiliaries. These are the members who support the active members by their prayers.

Mumbai too takes pride in being part of this Organization and nearly 121 parishes in the Archdioceses have seen the growth of the Legion of Mary over the years and its significant contributions in building the Mystical body of Christ.