By Peter Pereira
PETALING JAYA – The rooftop hall of the Church of St Ignatius (SIC) became a gathering place for 460 Legionaries from various churches on Dec 29, 2024, for their Annual General Reunion under the theme Unity and Love.
The event was graced by Fr Thomas Koo, CDD, parish priest of SIC, and Fr Paul Cheong, OFM Cap, spiritual director of the Kuala Lumpur Regia. A special highlight of the day was the celebration of Fr Thomas’ birthday, adding a personal touch to the gathering.
The Legion of Mary, known for its hierarchical structure with headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, sees its highest level in Malaysia as the Regia. In his opening address, Regia President Ignatius Wang lauded the Legion’s growth and improvement, citing St John Paul II’s reminder that all baptised Christians have a vocation to be apostles, and holy. “This calling can be fulfilled through various organisations, and the Legion of Mary remains one of the most effective ways,” he said. Ignatius also emphasised the importance of the Legion Handbook, penned by founder Frank Duff, as a guide for members’ activities.
Fr Paul, in his keynote address, highlighted a booklet titled 8 Habits of Effective Christian Living, published by the Church of St Francis of Assisi, Cheras. He urged the Legionaries to adopt and promote these habits in their evangelisation efforts. “Be passionate and on fire for the Lord in all that you do,” he exhorted.
A special segment of the event honoured 11 long-serving members who have contributed more than 40 years of service to the Legion. The members were presented with spiritual bouquets.
The gathering showcased the unity, dedication, and faithfulness of the Legionaries, affirming their commitment to living out their apostolic calling in service to the Church. – Herald Malaysia
