My love story started in the summer of 1972 when I was a second-year high school student in a public school. In my desire to escape chores at home, I nagged my mom to allow me to join the Legion of Mary as a junior legionary in our local parish.

Thus started the seed of a wonderful relationship with Mary. I remember vividly that first year, there were times that I had no energy to get up to do chores, but had to do them because I had to report how many times I acted in the “Spirit of Nazareth.” The chores I detested and tried to avoid before now had to be done because other juniors in our weekly meetings were reporting in the hundreds the number of times they did the assignment.

Slowly the weaning stage was hurdled, the dark clouds of my spiritual naivety cleared up, and the Spirit of the Legion, which is that of Mary herself, kindled a spark of fire in my soul. My soul recognized a spiritual voice, like that of a gentle mother beckoning me to come closer and to answer her call.

The Legion of Mary humbly began on Sept. 7, 1921, in Catholic Ireland. In the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the first two Praesidia meetings occurred on March 21, 1937. The work of the Legion is entirely spiritual and is always done at the wish of and under the direction of the parish priest or a spiritual director.

Three bishops led the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Legion of Mary at Holy Rosary Cathedral Sept. 4. Pictured are Bishop Emeritus David Monroe and Bishop Stephen Jensen. (Christine Almoros photo)
Archbishop Miller (centre) celebrating the Legion of Mary’s 100th anniversary. (Christine Almoros photo)

Globally, the Legion of Mary is one of the biggest lay organizations, with a presence in over 200 countries. Its founder Frank Duff holds the title Servant of God and was invited by Pope Paul VI to participate in the Second Vatican Council as a lay observer.

The year 2021 marks 100 years since the founding of the Legion of Mary. In B.C. we celebrated the momentous occasion with a Centennial Mass Sept. 4 at Holy Rosary Cathedral, officiated by Archbishop Michael Miller and concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus David Monroe of Kamloops and Bishop Stephen Jensen of Prince George.

It was a great and memorable moment for all Legionaries in Vancouver and elsewhere. At present, there are nearly 2,000 Legionaries in the archdiocese alone.

The Legion of Mary was formed like an army with Mary as its Queen and Mother.  The Object of the Legion of Mary is the Glory of God through the holiness of its members.

Having Mary as our Queen and Mother, who else should we emulate?

A summer gathering with local members of the Legion of Mary. (Photo submitted)

I have come a long way from being a junior to who I am today. In retrospect, the Spirit of the Legion became a way of life for me. As a soldier of Mary, I will continue to not give up, to have the courage to stand up for Christ, and to advance his reign in the hearts of men and women of this world.

Mary did not give up on us, so we should not give up on her. One day we will reassemble without the loss of anyone for it was Mary who chose us, not we choosing her. It is a great privilege to be called a Legionary.

If you are responding to Mary’s call, please contact your parish to join the Legion of Mary.

Rita Castillo is the vice president of the Queen of the Apostles Curia (Vancouver) and a Legionary at St. Jude’s Parish.