Members of the Legion of Mary have called on Catholic youths to embrace responsible use of smartphones and social media, while using digital platforms as tools for evangelisation, moral renewal and positive engagement.
The call was made at the 2026 Legion of Mary Congress of the Our Lady–Vessel of Honour Comitium, held at St. Kizito’s Parish, Kuje, Abuja, with the theme: “Mary, Mother of Hope: Rekindling Faith and Apostolic Zeal in a Troubled World.”
The Coordinator, Media and Publicity, Our Lady–Vessel of Honour, St. Kizito’s Parish, Abu, I. Michael, said the Congress challenged Legionaries to rekindle their apostolic zeal, deepen their spiritual formation and carry the Gospel into the rapidly changing realities of the modern world, including the digital space.
Delivering the keynote address, the President of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Senatus, Abuja, Brother Stephen Ameh, represented by the Senatus Assistant Secretary, Bro. Francis Idris, described Legionaries as “soldiers of Mary” united by loyalty, discipline and apostolic zeal.
Ameh said the Congress theme was relevant to a world facing confusion, violence and disillusionment, urging members to draw inspiration from the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he described as the Mother of Hope who remained steadfast in faith during moments of trial.
He stressed that Christian hope must translate into action, noting that Mary’s fiat represented a courageous act of faith rather than resignation.
The Senatus President urged Legionaries to take renewed hope to their families, parishes and communities, stressing that the Legion of Mary was established not merely for meetings and membership, but for active apostolic service.
He identified prayer, sacrifice, obedience to the Legion Handbook, perseverance in duty and unity with the Church as essential elements of Legionary commitment.
In a presentation titled “The Legionary Apostolate in the Modern World: Challenges and Opportunities for Catholic Evangelisation,” Bro. Victor Iboyi examined the impact of smartphones, social media, artificial intelligence and changing communication patterns on Catholic evangelisation.
Iboyi noted that although the Legion of Mary was founded in Dublin in 1921, its spiritual mission remained relevant, even as the missionary environment had changed.
He outlined the framework “Prayer → Formation → Holiness → Apostolate → Evangelisation,” while identifying digitalisation, social media, secularisation, individualism, consumerism, misinformation, youth disengagement, loneliness, insecurity and spiritual hunger as key challenges facing contemporary evangelisation.
According to him, platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok provide opportunities for Legionaries to share Scripture reflections, Marian devotion, Rosary campaigns, Catholic teachings, testimonies and short catechetical materials.
He, however, cautioned that technology should complement rather than replace personal apostolate.
“A voice note is not a home visit,” Iboyi said, stressing that digital engagement should not substitute for personal works of mercy and evangelisation.
He further called for greater involvement of young people in the Legion, urging members to see youths not merely as prospective recruits but as active evangelisers.
He suggested giving young Legionaries meaningful responsibilities, including leading youth Rosary groups and supporting appropriate digital catechesis aimed at reaching their generation.
Iboyi also identified inactive and returning Catholics as an important mission field, encouraging Legionaries to reach out to baptised Catholics who had become disconnected from Mass and the sacraments.
The former President of the Senatus, Abuja, Bro. Cletus Eichie, in his presentation, “Marian Devotion as a Pathway to Peace, Moral Renewal and Youth Reawakening,” urged Legionaries to model their lives on the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Eichie encouraged members to deepen their Marian spirituality through study and devotion, including True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort and The Secret of the Rosary, while stressing the importance of consistent Rosary prayer.
In her welcome remarks, the President of the Comitium, Sis. Anthonia Moses Obe, represented by the Comitium Secretary, Bro. Enoch Jacob, described the Congress as an opportunity for spiritual renewal, deeper conversion, strengthened faith and renewed commitment to the apostolate of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
She said the world was yearning for hope, truth and love, urging Legionaries to open themselves to the Holy Spirit and allow Mary to form and send them out as instruments of evangelisation.
The Congress brought together Legionaries, Senatus officials, representatives of Gwagwalada Comitium, clergy and other participants, including the Parish Priest of St. Kizito’s Parish, Rev. Fr. Henry Duru.
The speakers emphasised that while the mission of the Legion of Mary had remained unchanged since 1921, the environment in which evangelisation takes place had evolved—requiring today’s Legionaries to remain rooted in prayer and Catholic formation while taking the Gospel wherever people are found, “on the street, at the door, and now also online.”