Myanmar Legion of Mary Annual retreat for 2023

Myanmar Legion of Mary had an annual retreat for 2023 in Chan Thar Gone, Mandalay Archdiocese, from January 13 to 15.

Over 500 Legion of Mary members from Myanmar participated in the event.

Mandalay Comitium led the retreat with the help of the donor, U Myint Wai.

It aimed for the annual dedication of the members to Mother Mary, the annual retreat for the members, the gathering of the members, and making a plan for Mandalay Comitium for 2023.

The director of Legion of Mary, Mandalay Archdiocese, Father George Khin Mg Htwe, encouraged, "Saying rosary by the Legion of Mary members is like a 'rosary crusade' that goes as a chain, we should recite the rosary as much as we can."

Father Paul Thet Khaing, who is helping and guiding the Legion of Mary, reminded them not to forget to pray, whether in times of difficulty or happiness.   

"Don't give up on praying even when you are in difficulties. According to St. Don Bosco, whoever holds 'the rosary' in one hand and 'the blessed sacrament' in the other will never fall. You will be successful in everything. You are sure to succeed as long as you recite the rosary and adore the blessed sacrament in faith," said Father Augustine Khin Mg Kyaw from Lashio Diocese. 

Daw Mary LaBauk shared her miraculous healing of sickness due to fulfilling the duties of the Legion of Mary of saying the rosary every day and visiting the sick. Her children also succeeded in their work.

She joined the Legion in 2009 and now serves as the president of Myitkyina Comitium and secretary of the Immaculate Conception Praesidium, Njang Dung, Myitkyina.

The president of Senatus Myanmar, Ko Raymond, reported, "Within the last two years, the activities of the Legion have stopped in some regions, so we need to reform in 2023. We will design training programs and retreats. We will especially persuade the youth to participate in the Legion in 2023 and expand the Legion of Mary in Keng Tung and Mawlamyaing dioceses."

The Legion of Mary is a lay catholic organization whose members serve the Church voluntarily in almost every country.

Legion of Mary has a well-organized structure and functioning.

A Praesidium is the Legion's basic unit, consists of 3-20 members, and has weekly meetings in a parish. The Curia is the next level to oversee several Praesidia. The Comitium oversees many Curiae in a medium city or province.

Regia oversees Comitii. Senatus is the next level and typically controls the Regiae in a large area. The Dublin-based Concilium is the highest level and controls the Legion of Mary.

The association intends to bring people to God and evangelize God's kingdom as much as possible.

The members are the ones who are working among lay people under the guidance of the mother Church to be devoted to God more and the development of one's spirituality.

The legion of Mary conducts the activities like saying the rosary, praying, and visiting the sick at home.

The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Spiritual Director serve at all Legion levels. The last is usually clergy, but all other roles are laity. - News by Pinky Thiri Kyaw and translated by Marcus Nyi Nyi Htun