Members of the Legion of Mary in Michigan, (clockwise) Wendy Anderson (Nazarene shirt), Bruce Higgins, Lisa Ashman, GayAnne Chaney, Scott Chaney and Carol Tardiff hand out rosaries and religious books to passersby during the annual Woodward Dream Cruise outside National Shrine of the Little Flower Parish in Royal Oak.Royal Oak — Most of the people lined up along Woodward Avenue on Aug. 16 — complete with coolers of soft drinks and snacks, lawn chairs and cameras to catch the classic cars and trucks — were there for the annual Dream Cruise.
The folks with the table full of rosaries, religious pamphlets and CDs, however, were there for a different reason.
“We meet a lot of non-Catholics (and) Catholics who say they’ve never seen Catholics do this before,” said Scott Chaney, president of the Legion of Mary “praesidium” at the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak.
Popular books offered by the Legion of Mary for those seeking to learn more about Catholicism.Chaney and fellow local legionaries, or members, of the Legion of Mary in Michigan, have set up tables at the Dream Cruise for the past six years. And since they usually set up under a shady tree throughout the day, many Cruise watchers visit just for a break from the hot sun.
“We meet Catholics who are not practicing,” said Carol Tardiff, president of the Detroit-area “regia” of the Legion of Mary and parishioner of St. Anastasia in Troy. She said some are attracted to the table through mere curiosity, or seeing the multitude of colorful, free rosaries.
“A lot of children see the rosaries and their eyes light up,” she said.
The Legion of Mary, a parish-based apostolic organization of laypeople, was founded by Frank Duff in 1921 in Ireland. The organization has now spread around the world with more than 2 million active members and 20 million auxiliary members, and has been approved by the last six popes and the Second Vatican Council.
The terms such as “praesidium,” “legion” and “regia” were inspired by the system of the Roman army, and much of the spirituality draws from Frederick Ozanam’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
The causes for sainthood for both Duff, and fellow early legionary Venerable Edel Mary Quinn, have been ongoing.
Chaney said the Legion of Mary focuses on spreading a devotion to Our Lady, participating in the spiritual works of mercy, and in supporting other parish-based organizations, to continue building up the Church: “One of our charisms is to promote all things Catholic.”
The Legion of Mary shares rosaries with a woman and her children attending the Woodward Dream Cruise in Royal Oak.He said while mostly anyone can participate in the corporal works of mercy — such as visiting the imprisoned or sheltering the homeless — the spiritual works of mercy require a good understanding of the faith, and the spiritual support of fellow Christians.
“Spiritual works need background,” Chaney said. “The Legion of Mary creates opportunities and support.”
Because members of the Legion of Mary commit two hours a week to spiritual works, the daylong events of the Dream Cruise offer the chance for legionaries to manage the table in shifts.
He said the Dream Cruise brings in many interesting conversations, which often begin simply when a legionary offers a rosary to a passerby. And, they never hand out a rosary without sharing an explanation of it, or offering information on how to pray it.
“We ask them if they’re Catholic, and if they’ve ever prayed the rosary before,” said Chaney, explaining that extending a greeting can “open up the door to a conversation,” and pave the way for promoting the New Evangelization.
“It’s amazing, sometimes people will tell you their whole life story,” he said, estimating that about 400-500 rosaries are distributed each year at the Dream Cruise: “You put sacramentals out into the community and you never know what they’ll do.”
Tardiff said founder Frank Duff would go around with pockets full of miraculous medals to distribute, too: “He felt that the Legion of Mary would help take Catholics a step farther in their faith. Usually you become a better Catholic once you start evangelizing.”
She added the Legion of Mary takes the Blessed Mother, “who was the first evangelizer,” as a guide; “the more we become like her the more we can reach out to other people.”
The spiritual works of mercy
- Instruct the ignorant
- Admonish the sinner
- Counsel the doubtful
- Comfort the afflicted
- Bear wrongs patiently
- Forgive offenses willingly
- Pray for the living and the dead
Legion of Mary of Michigan
To learn more about Legion of Mary in your area, visit www.legionofmarymichigan.org, or call St. Anastasia Parish, Troy, at (248) 689-8380 and ask for Carol Tardiff.
Legion of Mary rosary rally
What: The Legion of Mary will hold a rosary rally with Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Byrnes, featuring all 20 decades of the rosary prayed in several languages; sung Chaplet of Divine Mercy; Mass at 4 p.m. and refreshments/fellowship afterwards. All are welcome.
When: Sunday, Oct. 12, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 9844 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202
For more info: Visit www.legionofmarymichigan.org/ContactUs.html
