What is the Legion of Mary?
The Legion of Mary is a worldwide organization of lay Catholics founded in 1921 in Ireland. Members of the Legion of Mary offer their time in service to their local pastor to assist him in performing the Spiritual Works of Mercy in the parish. The members of the Legion of Mary do this by placing themselves under the banner of the Blessed Virgin Mary so that in those persons ministered to the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ is once again seen and served by Mary, his mother. The Saint Mary Cathedral chapter of the Legion of Mary has been in existence and meeting continuously on a weekly basis since 1953.

What is required of members of the Legion of Mary?
A member of the Legion of Mary attends a weekly meeting of the local parish group at which prescribed prayers, including the rosary, are recited. Also, each member gives a brief report on the work they performed during the preceding week. During the week members perform at least one hour of work, which may be either assigned or self-chosen.

What are the principle works of the Legion of Mary?
The principle works of the Legion of Mary include the Spiritual Works of Mercy, such as visiting the sick in hospitals and nursing homes, bringing Holy Communion to the homebound, bringing lapsed Catholics back to the Church, educating the youth and non-Catholics in religious education programs, leading rosaries at funerals and consoling the bereaved, visiting prisoners in jails, distributing Catholic literature and books and generally assisting the pastor in any way needed.

Why should someone join the Legion of Mary?
For those seeking a way to serve others, the Legion of Mary is a great way to get started since it provides a structured environment and assignments for work needed to be done. For those seeking a means to develop a deeper personal holiness, the Legion of Mary provides a prayerful environment of like-minded fellow parishioners. The combination of prayerful spirituality and active works provides the good balance needed to mature and flourish in one's faith life.

When and where are the meetings of the Legion of Mary held?
The Saint Mary Cathedral Legion of Mary meets for about one hour every Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral School library. The spiritual director of the Cathedral Legion is Rev. Patrick Ebner.