Legion of Mary One-Day Congress

What It Is Not

The one-day Congress is not a Convention in the American sense of the word.  It is not intended to show off the Legion’s great numbers as at the Acies.  A hotel or other elaborate facility is not a requisite.  A school or church with a cafeteria or lunch room and a large hall for discussions are sufficient.  Read the Handbook section on the Congress, pages 177-179.

It is not a Conference, which is a two or three day affair held by the highest council in an area to highlight an anniversary or the establishment of a Senatus, etc.

It is not a Seminar or Workshop where members are divided up into small groups, as at an officer’s meeting.  The full body of members should be together for the whole day, especially in the discussion sessions.  Read the handbook section on Patricians (pages 260-272); especially the paragraphs entitled “Some Patrician Principles.”  The running of a one-day Congress is based on these principals.

It is not a panel or question and answer period, or a lecture by experts.  The speakers should not be singled out (or chosen in the first place) because it is presumed they have “all the answers.” Ordinary local legionaries should be asked to give the short opening talks at each session.  This is a good opportunity to train your members, and since these talks are only intended to spur discussion, they should not be more than ten minutes in length.  A closing address should be scheduled, and can be given by a visiting legionary, Spiritual Director or one of the council officers, etc.  Local Spiritual Directors or the Bishop could also be scheduled to speak at the luncheon or at the church service.

It is not a forum for the speakers of other movements and organizations.

It is not a discussion of problems; themes should be positive, idealistic, and spiritual.

What It Is

The one-day Legion Congress is a day long discussion of the Legion System, Devotions, Works, Principles and Ideals, divided into three or four sessions with an overall theme and sub-topics, which should be definite, related, and structured, so that the discussion and ideas build throughout the day.

Legion of Mary One-Day Congress Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t arrange the seating audience style.  Do use semi-circles of chairs around the small table with the chairperson, speaker, spiritual director and Legion altar.  In a long, narrow room, set up along the long wall.

Don’t put the tables on a stage or elevation.  The idea is informal discussion from the body, not from the chairperson, director or speaker.

Don’t use a microphone. Do train the members to speak out to the body.

Don’t let the members sit when making comments. Do have members stand, including the chairperson, as a contribution is made.  Applause should either be given after each comment or eliminated altogether, except for times when it comes naturally.

Don’t let the discussion get off track; don’t let certain members monopolize the time.  Do ask for all those who have not yet participated to do so.

Don’t spend a lot of money.  Do keep the affair simple and as inexpensive (not cheap) as possible so that every legionary, regardless of means, can participate fully.  Have the meal catered so that no legionaries miss the Congress sessions.

Don’t print an elaborate program.  A simple folded card, printed on four sides, is more than adequate.

Don’t offer a donation to the council officers who give talks at the Congress or to any other legionaries who participate.  A visiting legion notable is a different matter and the spirit director of your curia can advise you on this.  On the other hand, legionaries who are asked to give a major address and who come from another council should be exempt from the registration and luncheon fees.

Don’t keep your one-day Congress a secret.  Do invite all councils in the area, in plenty of time, even though it appears they may not attend.  The handbook says, “Visitors from other areas may be invited to a congress.”

Do have a special evening, the night before the Congress, for the benefit of legionaries traveling a distance.

Do submit plans and a copy of the problem to the higher council officers well in advance.  Like any other official legion meeting, the Congress is a tremendous source of spirit, grace and enlightenment, provided it is run according the system.  This communication, plus the two sections of the Handbook mentioned above cannot help but make your one-day Congress the success it is meant to be. 

As you know it is the duty of the higher councils to ensure the correct following of the system in its area and the council officers sincerely hope you will get in touch with them with your questions, doubts, suggestions and complaints, regarding the one-day Congress.  They are most anxious to help in any way to make yours a success.