HERU

“After celebrating a hundred years in 2021, we continue to emphasize recruitment and extension of the Legion of Mary. This we hope to do in all our parishes even as we revive Praesidia that may have lapsed like those in some rural deaneries in Nairobi Archdiocese,” he said.

The member of the Clergy of Kenya’s Nairobi Archdiocese went on to highlight initiatives being undertaken to strengthen the movement in Kenya, saying, “Some deaneries have nominated a Priest to be a chaplain of the Legion of Mary.”

In other Kenyan Catholic Dioceses such as Ngong, Bungoma, Kisumu, Meru, and Machakos, Fr. Kariuki said that “the Bishops have appointed Spiritual directors for the Legion of Mary.”

There is an aspiration to venture into Dioceses where the Legion apostolate is absent, especially in some Northeastern parts of the country, including Marsabit, Nyahururu, Maralal, and Garissa, he said.

In an interview with ACI Africa in October 2021, Fr. Kariuki said that there is a need to strengthen legionaries in schools in an attempt to counter the declining numbers the association is facing.

“We will strengthen the legionaries in our schools and introduce the movement where it does not exist. Here we will work closely with the Education Secretary in the Archdiocese of Nairobi,” he said. 

In the February 6 interview, Fr. Kariuki called for the recruitment of young children and youth from the institutions, arguing that learning institutions hold the future of the Marian movement in Kenya. 

“We particularly wish that more young children and the youth (junior legion) join the Legion in schools and institutions of higher learning. This is where the future of the Legion of Mary is,” he told ACI Africa.

The Kenyan Catholic Priest listed Marian Feasts this year, including the Annunciation, the Assumption, the Nativity of Mary, and the Immaculate Conception, and said that legionaries are keen on such celebrations.

On the feast of the Annunciation marked March 25, Fr. Kariuki said that all legionaries renew their promises in a function that is referred to as “Acies”.