Acies Moved to March 18th at St. Matthew
Acies will now be held on March 18th at 3:00 p.m. at St. Matthew. St. Matthew Catholic Church in is located at 3314 Sandra Lane, Virginia Beach, VA.
The word Acies is Latin, and means, “an army ranged in battle array.” At Acies legionaries as a body assemble to renew their fealty to Mary, Queen of the Legion, and from her to receive strength and blessing for yet another year's battle with the forces of evil.
The Acies is the great central annual function of the Legion, so that it is necessary to stress the importance of attendance on the part of every member. Each praesidium is asked to announce the date and location of Acies at every weekly meeting from now until March 18th, and to take every effort to inform their auxiliaries of the event, and ensure that a system is in-place to provide transportation to Acies for any home-bound auxiliaries or non-drivers who wish to attend.
At the Acies, legionaries shall assemble at St. Mathew Catholic Church, where there will be a statue of the Immaculate Conception, suitably decorated with flowers and candles. In front of the statue will stand a large-size replica of the Legion vexillum. After a hymn, followed by the opening prayers of the Legion including the Rosary, an address by a priest on the significance of the consecration to Our Lady follows. We are pleased to announce that Most Reverend Bishop Francis Xavier DiLorenzo, Bishop of Richmond, is currently scheduled to give the address.
Then the procession towards the statue begins. The Spiritual Directors go first in single file. Then the legionaries, also singly, (except if the number are too great, then we may go in pairs). On reaching the vexillum, each one (or each pair) pauses; then, placing the hand upon the staff of the vexillum, he repeats vocally, as an individual act of consecration, the following words: “I am all yours, my Queen, my Mother, and all that I have is yours.” This done, the vexillum is relinquished, the legionary bows slightly and passes on.
When all legionaries have resumed their places, an act of consecration to Our Lady is said aloud by the priest on behalf of all present. Following this, the Catena is recited, all present standing.
Next, there will be benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament; after which the concluding prayers of the Legion are recited, a hymn is sung, and the Acies is then officially complete, -- however, we will hope everyone will then join us in the St. Matthew’s School Cafeteria for a reception with some food, light entertainment, and fellowship.
New Praesidium at Star of the Sea Catholic Church
A new praesidium of the Legion of Mary is being started-up at Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Virginia Beach, VA. The first meeting was held on Tuesday, January 23rd at 8:30 a.m. in the Annex. A second meeting was held Tuesday, January 30th at the same time and location. Future meetings, starting Feb. 8th will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
The picture above shows a gathering of people after the Saturday evening Mass at Star of the Sea, during a recruiting drive to encourage parishioners at Star of the Sea to join the newly forming praesidium. There was great interest in the Legion of Mary shown by parishioners.
A new praesidium is also starting at St. Matthews Catholic Church for Junior Legionaries. The new junior praesidium at St. Matthews, will be the third praesidium at the parish, along with its two adult praesidia.
Frank Duff Prayer to be Prayed at End of Each Meeting
In April 2005, Concilium recommend the following prayer be recited at the end of every Legion meeting (praesidium and council) throughout the world:
Prayer for the Beatification of the Servant of God Frank Duff
God our Father, You inspired your servant Frank Duff with a profound insight into the mystery of Your Church, the Body of Christ, and of the place of Mary the Mother of Jesus in this mystery. In his immense desire to share this insight with others and in filial dependence on Mary he formed her Legion to be a sign of her maternal love for the world and a means of enlisting all her children in the Church's evangelizing work. We thank you Father for the graces conferred on him and for the benefits accruing to the Church from his courageous and shining faith. With confidence we beg You that through his intercession you grant the petition we lay before You... We ask too that if it be in accordance with Your will, the holiness of his life may be acknowledged by the Church for the glory of your Name, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.