Fr John McEvoy attended the annual Legion of Mary Mass in Meath Diocese. He recalls the shared mission of Evangelisation and the long bonds between the Columbans and the Legion of Mary.
It is a kind of a coincidence that the establishment of the ‘Maynooth Mission to China’ on the 29th June 1918 by Bishop Edward Galvin and Fr John Blowick should almost coincide with the foundation of the Legion of Mary in Dublin by Frank Duff on 7th Sept 1921.
From those early days many Columban recognised the Legion of Mary as a powerful vehicle for evangelisation. In their mission countries across Asia and beyond, Columban priests formed and trained Presidia of the Legion of Mary in their parishes which consisted of committed lay Catholics who could bring the Gospel into homes, hospitals, villages and communities in a practical and prayerful way.
Photos: Fr John McEvoy
The Columbans did not simply preach the faith from a distance by themselves, they encouraged local people to take responsibility for spreading it, and the Legion’s praesidia became a vital means of doing so. The faith thrived and parishes grew because of committed lay people.
Older Columbans now home from the missions still serve as spiritual directors to praesidia of the Legion of Mary in parishes around the Navan area – Kentstown, Johnstown and Navan itself.
Columban Priests such as Frs Sean Coyle, Maurice Hogan and Mick Mohally are still involved in this important ministry. Their presence at Presidia meetings reflects the long bond between the Columbans and the Legion of Mary, a bond rooted in prayer, service and the belief that ordinary lay people can play an extraordinary role in the mission of the Church.
This same spirit was evident at the Annual Legion of Mary Mass in St Oliver’s Church, Navan, led by Bishop Tom Deenihan on Friday evening 10th July 2026.
Bishop Deenihan of Meath offers Mass annually to promote the cause for beatification of Alfie Lambe (Tullamore), Edel Quinn (Kanturk) and Frank Duff (Dublin). All three were closely associated with the Legion of Mary: Frank Duff as its founder, Edel Quinn through her heroic missionary work promoting the Legion in East Africa, especially in Nairobi, Kenya, and Alfie Lambe through his remarkable promotion of the Legion in South America, Argentina, Equator, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.
It is worth noting that neither Alfie nor Edel enjoyed good health in life. Alfie Lambe died in Buenos Aires at the age of 27 years of age while Edel Quinn died in Nairobi at the age of 37 years.
This annual Mass at St Oliver’s Navan is always attended by members of local praesidia from around the Diocese of Meath.
Columbans (from left) Fr Maurice Hogan, Fr Michael Mohally, with Bishop Thomas Deenihan of Meath, Fr Seán Coyne and Fr John Hogan, Postulator for Cause of Fr Willie Doyle SJ.
Among the great Columban figures linked with the Legion of Mary, Fr Aedan McGrath holds a special place. Sent to China as a missionary priest, he became one of the most important Columban champions of the Legion, helping it take root across Asia and inspiring its spread far beyond China.
His leadership showed how the Legion could empower lay Catholics, strengthen parish life and carry the faith into places where priests alone could not reach.
This impact brought him into direct conflict with the Chinese Communist authorities, who regarded the Legion as a threat to the State and name the Legion as ‘Enemy No. One’. Fr Aedan was imprisoned in China for two years and eight months because of his activity with the Legion.
Fr McGrath’s courage, endurance and fidelity made him a powerful witness to the Columban missionary spirit and helped secure his place as one of the key figures in the worldwide story of the Legion of Mary.
Fr Aedan McGrath SSC