Page 7 - 聖母軍團員手冊（英文版，2014年5月-2022年1月更新版）

Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page vi

VI THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
FRANK DUFF

Founder of the Legion of Mary
Frank Duff was born in Dublin, Ireland, on June 7, 1889. He enter -
ed the Civil Service at the age of 18 and had a distinguished career.
His free time he at first dedicated to sporting activities, but at the age
of 24 he joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul where he was led to
a deeper commitment to his Catholic faith and at the same time he
acquired a great sensi tiv ity to the needs of the poor and
underprivileged.
Along with a group of Catholic women and Fr. Michael Toher, a
priest of the Dublin Archdiocese, he formed the first branch of what
was to become the first praesidium of the Legion of Mary on
September 7, 1921. From that date until his death, November 7, 1980,
he guided the world-wide extension of the Legion with heroic
dedication. He attended the Second Vatican Council as a lay observer.
He died on the evening of November 7, 1980 aged 91 years. His Cause
for Beatification was introduced by His Eminence Desmond Cardinal
Connell, the then Archbishop of Dublin, in June 1996.
His profound insights into the role of the Holy Spirit and the Blessed
Virgin Mary in the plan of Redemption, and the role of the lay faithful
in the mission of the Church, are reflected in this Handbook which is
almost entirely his composition.

Prayer for the Beatification of the Servant of God,
Frank Duff
God our Father,
You inspired your servant Frank Duff with a profound insight into
the mystery of your Church, the Body of Christ, and of the place of
Mary the Mother of Jesus in this mystery.
In his immense desire to share this insight with others and in filial
dependance on Mary, he formed her Legion to be a sign of her
maternal love for the world and a means of enlisting all her children
in the Church’s evangelising work.
We thank you Father for the graces conferred on him and for the
benefits accruing to the Church from his courageous and shining faith.
With confidence we beg you that through his intercession, you
grant the petition we lay before you .........
We ask too that if it be in accordance with your will, the holiness of
his life may be acknowledged by the Church for the glory of your
Name.
Through Christ Our Lord, Amen