In 2024, the Senatus of Uganda (Legion of Mary highest Governing Council in Uganda) embarks on yet another new spiritually oriented year under the theme, “Praesidium: Serving Mary, Saving Souls.”
This theme underscores the Legion’s commitment to being a tangible “Presence” of Mary in the modern world, striving to embody her love, compassion and grace in their service to the Church. The theme emphasizes the importance of coming together as a unified body to engage in the official, pastoral apostolate of the Church. The Legion of Mary recognizes the significance of the communal apostolate, highlighting the importance of collective worship, devotion and service to Mother Church.
The theme for 2024, “Praesidium: Serving Mary, Saving Souls,” seamlessly builds on the foundation laid in 2023, where it was emphasized that, “The Legionary must Pray as well as Work.” This evolution acknowledges that our devotion to prayer remains essential, but it now underscores the purpose behind our work. Serving Mary reflects our commitment to our faith, community and the Legion of Mary, mirroring the 2023 theme’s emphasis on prayer and work. Moreover, “Saving Souls” places a greater emphasis on our mission and evangelism, linking it back to the 2021-2022 theme, “Remember, Renew, Recruit and Rejoice.” By serving Mary through our work and prayer, we honour our centenary celebration’s call to remember our history, renew our dedication, recruit new members and rejoice in the spiritual fulfilment that comes from saving souls for Christ.
The Praesidium is a presence of Mary
Reference is made to the Legion of Mary Handbook in chapter 14, Chapter 19 (section 23) and Chapter 39 (section 6) where the Praesidium is explained in greater detail. However, suffice to say that the Praesidium as a “Presence” of Mary is rooted in the Legion of Mary’s deep commitment to the official pastoral apostolate of the Church. It emphasizes the consolidation of individuals into a collective, united body that operates in harmony with the Church’s mission. This consolidation is likened to the relationship between the liturgy, the official public worship of the Church and private prayer. Just as liturgy is the communal expression of faith, the Praesidium acts as a communal apostolate that works in harmony with individual members.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, plays a central role in this theme. She is the one who gave the world the Life that renews all things and was enriched by God with gifts suitable for her maternal role. Through the Legion of Mary, her mothering role continues, supported by those who are willing to assist her. A Praesidium, within this context, offers a group of devoted individuals ready to aid Mary in her ongoing mission. It is believed that she will graciously accept this help, transforming a Praesidium into a local manifestation of her presence.
The Legion of Mary, as reflected in its theme, requires the Praesidium to be a shining example of consistency. This resonates with the biblical teaching in Galatians 6:9, which says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” It should be noted that legionaries may encounter obstacles such as illness, holidays, or other unavoidable circumstances that temporarily prevent them from fulfilling their duties. However, by virtue of its collective nature, composed of many members who won’t all face hindrances simultaneously, the Praesidium can rise above these individual limitations. This principle is akin to the biblical teaching in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
The Legion insists on the utmost commitment to weekly meetings. Even if the customary meeting day is obstructed, the meeting should be rescheduled to another day. This determination to meet, despite the absence of a significant number of members, aligns with the spirit of Matthew 18:20, where Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
The Legion of Mary Handbook (Chapter 19, section 23, pg 126) explains that, a Praesidium places at her disposal a group of loving souls eager to help her in that office. It is certain that she will accept that aid. Therefore, a Praesidium may be imagined as a sort of local presence of Mary through which she will display her unique gifts and reproduce her motherhood. So, it can be expected that a Praesidium which is true to its ideals will bestow around itself life and renewal and healing and solutions.
Goal for 2024
The primary goal for 2024 is:
To empower each Praesidium to truly become a living embodiment of Mary’s presence in the Legion of Mary and in the world.
This will involve deepening the understanding of the communal apostolate, fostering unity among Legion members and enhancing the Legion’s collective service to the Church and humanity.
Specific Objectives
- Praesidia Strengthening and Expansion:
Objective: Strengthen existing Praesidia by providing ongoing training, resources, and support to local leaders and members. Additionally, establish new Praesidia in areas with a need for increased Catholic presence in Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia. This objective aims to ensure that Praesidia remain effective and continue to grow.
Anticipated Outcomes
- Improved organization and effectiveness of existing Praesidia.
- Enhanced leadership and member participation.
- Increased outreach and impact on local communities.
Key Activities
- Conduct regular training sessions for Praesidia Officers to develop their organizational and leadership skills.
- Provide resources and materials for Praesidia activities, such as pamphlets, guides, and religious literature.
- Offer ongoing mentorship and support for local leaders, including regular check-ins and consultations.
- Organize regional or national gatherings to facilitate networking and the exchange of best practices among Praesidia.
- Enhancing Member Spirituality
Objective: Foster the spiritual growth of members by offering regular spiritual retreats, formation programs and access to spiritual directors. Will emphasize the importance of prayer, reflection and deepening their connection with Mary and the teachings of the Church. This objective is centred on nurturing the spirituality of members.
Anticipated Outcomes
- Deeper spirituality and stronger faith among members.
- Increased commitment to prayer and personal reflection.
- Improved understanding of Catholic teachings and traditions.
Key Activities
- Organize regular spiritual retreats at local, regional and national levels, focusing on various aspects of Catholic spirituality and Mary’s role.
- Develop and distribute formation materials, including online and printed resources, to facilitate continuous learning and spiritual development.
- Connect members with spiritual directors and mentors who can guide them in their journey.
- Establish prayer groups and encourage daily prayer routines within Praesidia to nurture members’ spirituality.
- Extension Work in Underserved Regions
Objective: Expand extension work in underserved regions within Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, including hard-to-reach areas like islands, highlands, and refugee camps. Will develop tailored outreach programs and establish partnerships with existing Legion of Mary Councils to ensure the Catholic faith reaches those who need it most.
Anticipated Outcomes
- Establishment of new Praesidia in underserved areas.
- Increased Catholic presence and engagement in these regions.
- Positive impact on local communities and outreach to the marginalized.
Key Activities
- Conduct feasibility studies and needs assessments to identify areas in Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia where new Praesidia are needed.
- Recruit and train local leaders and members to initiate and lead new Praesidia
- Form partnerships with local community organizations and leaders to build trust and support.
- Develop tailored outreach programs for specific regions, taking into account local culture and challenges.
- Effective Evangelization Through Media
Objective: Utilize radio, television and social media platforms to engage in extensive apostolate. Create and disseminate engaging and informative religious content, such as Allocutio, homilies, discussions and educational materials, to reach a wide and diverse audience. Adapt the message and approach to be effective in these media channels to fulfil the theme’s call to “Saving Souls.”
Anticipated Outcomes
- Wider outreach and engagement with a diverse audience.
- Increased influence of the Legion of Mary on Communities.
- Education and inspiration of individuals through media content.
Key Activities
- Create and broadcast religious content on radio and TV, including sermons, interviews, and discussions on Catholic faith and spirituality.
- Establish a presence on social media platforms, regularly sharing content related to faith, devotion to Mary, and stories of personal transformation.
- Collaborate with Catholic radio stations, TV channels, and online influencers to reach a wider audience.
- Monitor and analyse the impact of media efforts to adjust content and strategies for maximum effectiveness.
Conclusion
As we start a new year with a new theme, “Praesidium: Serving Mary, Saving Souls,” we are filled with a profound sense of purpose and possibility. The work that lies ahead is not just a duty but a divine calling, one that invites us to rise to the occasion, to embrace our roles with renewed commitment, and to be the living embodiment of Mary’s presence in the Legion of Mary and in the world.
The year 2024 holds great promise for us, a year in which we have set a clear and inspiring goal: “To empower each Praesidium to truly become a living embodiment of Mary’s presence in the Legion of Mary and in the world.” To achieve this, we must all be driven by a shared sense of urgency and an unshakable resolve. In the busy hustle and bustle of our lives, it’s easy to become distracted and lose sight of our noble purpose, but we must remind ourselves of the profound impact we can have on the lives of others, of the souls we can touch, and the salvation we can bring. Let this year be the year in which we make a tangible difference, the year we transform lives and the year we serve Mary with great devotion.
To make the year 2024 and the theme a reality, we need your commitment, your dedication and your passion. Each one of you, as officers and legionaries, plays a crucial role in this mission. Your energy, enthusiasm and faith are the driving forces that will propel us forward. It’s not just about what we can do individually, but what we can achieve together. Let us remember that Mary’s presence in the Legion is not a distant ideal but a living reality and we are the vessels through which it shines.
So, I implore you all, dear officers and legionaries, to rekindle your passion, to redouble your efforts, and to inspire one another to achieve our 2024 objectives. May Mother Mary guide our steps and may her love infuse our every action. Together, we can serve Mary and save souls. Together, we can make 2024 a year of profound impact. Let us march forward with faith, hope, and love, for we are the Legion of Mary, and with Mary’s grace, there is nothing we cannot achieve.