Legion of Mary Cordel Praesidium Marks Ruby Jubilee with Prayer, Service and Fellowship
Mangaluru: The Legion of Mary Cordel Praesidium celebrated its Ruby Jubilee, marking 40 years of prayer, faith and dedicated service, with a thanksgiving Holy Mass and fellowship programme at the Cordel Church Mini Hall, Kulshekar, on October 3.
The milestone celebration brought together Legion members, clergy and parishioners to commemorate four decades of spiritual commitment, selfless service and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The celebrations began at 4:00 p.m., with members gathering at Holy Cross Church to recite the Holy Rosary and seek the blessings of Mother Mary. A solemn thanksgiving Holy Mass was celebrated at 4:30 p.m. by Msgr. Maxim Noronha, concelebrated by Fr. Praveen Joy Saldanha, Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary, and Fr. Clifford Fernandes, Parish Priest of Cordel Church.
In his homily, Msgr. Maxim Noronha reflected on the biblical parable of the vineyard, drawing a parallel between the care and effort required to cultivate a vineyard and the responsibility entrusted to people by God. He said that just as a vineyard owner expects good fruit after investing time and effort, God expects His people to respond to His love through faithfulness, good deeds, and lives rooted in spiritual values.
“God loved the people of Israel, but what did He receive in return? When the owner entrusts the vineyard to people to care for, they are expected to be faithful and offer the fruits of their labour,” he said.
He urged the faithful not to become enslaved by worldly possessions and distractions, but to make love, justice, peace, forgiveness and humility the guiding principles of their lives.
“Where there is injustice, we must stand for justice; where there is enmity, we must bring love; where there is greed, we must practise generosity; and where there is anger, we must establish peace,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of the Ruby Jubilee, Msgr. Noronha said the Legion of Mary gives greater importance to prayer and service than material wealth. He appreciated the Legionaries for their dedication and commitment to serving others, noting that many people had experienced positive changes in their lives through their association with the organisation.
Comparing Legionaries to disciplined soldiers, he emphasised the importance of obedience, courage, humility, discipline and unwavering faith. He encouraged members to remain vigilant in their spiritual mission, draw strength from the Word of God and resist worldly distractions. He congratulated the Cordel Praesidium on completing 40 years of service and wished its members continued success in their mission.
Following the Mass, members and guests proceeded to the church Mini Hall, where a cultural programme was organised. The programme began with a prayer dance presented by members of the Cordel Praesidium, invoking God’s blessings and expressing devotion to Mother Mary.
Dora Serrao, President of the Legion of Mary Cordel Praesidium, welcomed the gathering, while Sevrine Menezes, Secretary, presented the annual report highlighting the activities, achievements and service initiatives undertaken by the Praesidium.
A skit titled The Prodigal Daughter, presented by the members, conveyed a message of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the importance of returning to God. A comedy skit and a Hindi song by the Legion members added entertainment and cheer to the celebration.
Addressing the gathering, Fr. Clifford Fernandes, Parish Priest of Cordel Church, appreciated the Legion members for their dedicated service and their commitment to reaching out to people with compassion and care.
“The Legion of Mary has shown that service does not depend on money. Today, we often hear that donating time is as valuable as donating blood. Legion members visit the sick and families in need and are present during funerals, Holy Masses, and hospital visits. Every week, you dedicate at least two hours to meeting the sick and reaching out to the needy. This service is truly commendable,” he said.
Fr. Clifford noted that the Legion of Mary has a long history in Cordel, with its presence in the parish dating back 76 years. He encouraged members to continue their mission with the same enthusiasm and dedication while making efforts to involve younger generations.
Emphasising the importance of youth participation, he recalled the Young Men Association’s Golden Jubilee, noting that many of its members attended with walking sticks, while younger people had not been sufficiently encouraged to take up membership and leadership roles.
“Legion of Mary members should encourage their children and grandchildren to join the Legion. If we want our organisations to continue serving future generations, we must motivate young people to participate and take responsibility,” he said.
Fr. Praveen Joy Saldanha, Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary, expressed happiness over the Cordel Praesidium celebrating its Ruby Jubilee and appreciated its members for their dedication to prayer and social service over the past four decades.
“I am very happy that the Legion of Mary Cordel Praesidium is celebrating its Ruby Jubilee. For the past 40 years, many members have served the people of Kulshekar through the Legion of Mary. Their involvement in various social service activities is commendable, and God will surely bless their efforts,” he said.
He reiterated that prayer and service remain the principal pillars of the Legion of Mary and encouraged members to inspire more parishioners to join the organisation.
Fr. Praveen also highlighted the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, describing her as a simple and humble woman whose life continues to guide Legionaries in their spiritual journey.
“I am happy to see 46 members in the Cordel Praesidium. Mother Mary lived a life of simplicity, humility, and service. As Legion members, we should follow her footsteps and encourage others to become part of this mission. I wish all the members the very best,” he said.
The cultural programme continued with performances by the members, including a comedy skit and a Hindi song, which were warmly received by the audience. The performances reflected the unity, camaraderie and shared spirit among the Legionaries.
Jessy, Vice-President, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the clergy, guests, members and all those who contributed to the successful celebration. Alice Lobo compered the programme.
Fr. Praveen Joy Saldanha offered the prayer before dinner, after which the celebration concluded with a fellowship meal.
Naveen, Fr. Denzil Lobo, Fr. Lyod, Vincent Lobo, Anil D’Sa, Wildred D’Souza, and members of the Legion of Mary from other Praesidia were also present.
The Ruby Jubilee was not merely a commemoration of 40 years but also a renewed commitment to the Legion of Mary’s mission of prayer, compassion and service. The celebration honoured the dedication of past and present members while inspiring the Praesidium to continue following the example of Mother Mary and reaching out to the sick, the needy and the wider parish community with love and humility.
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