# Celebrating Frank Duff, Founder of the Legion of Mary
*2018-06-07*

> Bill Young marks the birthday of Servant of God Frank Duff, recounting his life and legacy, and leads a prayer for Duff’s beatification followed by a rosary.

## Frank Duff: A Brief Biography

Frank Duff was born in Dublin, Ireland, on June 7, 1889, the seventh of seven children. In 1913 he joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, where he developed a deep love for the poor and a conviction that every person is called to holiness. At age 27, in 1916, he published a pamphlet titled *Can We Become Saints?* affirming that the Catholic faith provides all the means to achieve sanctity.

In 1917 Duff encountered the writings of St. Louis Marie de Montfort, whose true devotion to Mary transformed his spiritual life. Inspired by this Marian spirituality, he founded the Legion of Mary on September 7, 1921. The Legion is a lay apostolic organization dedicated to the spiritual growth of its members and the advancement of Christ’s reign through Mary. Today it is present in almost every country, with nearly three million active members and many more auxiliary members.

Pope Paul VI invited Duff to the Second Vatican Council in 1965 as a lay observer, recognizing the great contribution of the Legion to the lay apostolate. Frank Duff died on November 7, 1980, and is buried in Dublin. His cause for canonization was opened in July 1996 by Archbishop Desmond Connell.

## Prayer for the Beatification of Frank Duff

God our Father, you inspired your servant Frank Duff with a profound insight into the mystery of the Church, the Body of Christ, and the peace of Mary, Mother of Jesus. In his great desire to share this insight, he founded the Legion of Mary as a sign of Mary’s maternal love for the world and a means of enlisting all her children in the Church’s evangelizing work.

We thank you for the graces granted to him and for the benefit his courageous faith has brought to the Church. Through his intercession, we ask that you grant the petitions we bring before you today for all members of the Legion of Mary, especially those in Broward County and St. David’s Catholic Church, and that all may be done according to your holy will. May the holiness of his life be acknowledged by the Church for the glory of your name through Christ our Lord. Amen.

## The Rosary

Bill led a complete rosary, beginning with the sign of the cross and the invocation of the Holy Spirit. The Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be were prayed in the usual order, with each decade offered for a specific intention—hope, love, peace, and the intercession of Mary for the world’s suffering. The mysteries reflected the Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, Assumption, and Coronation, each followed by the traditional prayers.

Throughout the rosary, Bill asked for forgiveness, protection from sin, and the salvation of souls, especially those most in need of mercy.

## Closing Prayer and Blessing

A final prayer was offered for the beatification of Adele Quinn, asking the Father to grant favors through her intercession, especially for the conversion of a prodigal son. The prayer concluded with a request that any favors received be reported to the Legion of Mary’s Montfort House in Dublin.

Bill closed by blessing both Adele Quinn and Frank Duff, wishing a happy birthday to Duff and praying for all Legion members—active, auxiliary, and prospective—to grow in faith and become saints through Mary’s intercession.

*May Frank Duff’s example inspire us all to serve Christ through Mary, striving for holiness in our everyday lives.*