Saturday, November 15, 2014

LEGIO MARIA PRAYERS



THE CATENA: LEGIO MARIA PRAYERS IN ENGLISH
L: Leader
C: Congregation
A: OPENING PRAYERS
L: In the name of the Father
C: In the name of the Father, The Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
L: Come Holy Spirit
C: Fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
L: Let Us Pray:
C: God Our Father, pour out the gifts of your Holy Spirit on the world. You sent the Spirit on your Church to begin the teaching of the Gospel: now let the Spirit continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe, through Baba Simeo Our Lord, Amen.
L: You, O Lord, will open my lips
C:   And my tongue shall announce your praise.
L:  Incline unto my aid, O God.
C:  O Lord, make haste to help me.
L:  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
C:  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
L: Baba Simeo, take away our sins.
C: Deliver us from eternal punishment.
L: Take the spirits of all to heaven.
C: Especially those who seek your grace.
PART B: THE DECADES
(There are five Decades of the Catena as it is with the Rosary). I will choose a Legio Maria version of the decades of sorrow to complete the Catena). (there is the Catena with three Hail Mary’s, seven Hail Mary’s, etc….I will use the three Hail Mary Catena).
L: 1ST DECADE OF SORROW: BARASA ODENGE WARNS BABA SIMEO TO LEAVE CALVARY HILL. VIRGIN MARY, GIVE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT TO THE DEVIL AND HIS AGENTS. Our father in heaven, hollowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
C: Give us today our daily bread. Forgive our sins as you do to all who sin and repent. Do not take us into temptation but rescue us from evil. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus (Simeo).
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L:  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
C:  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
L: Baba Simeo, take away our sins.
C: Deliver us from eternal punishment.
L: Take the spirits of all to heaven.
C: Especially those who seek your grace.
L: 2ND DECADE: BABA SIMEO ARRESTED IN CALVARY HILL AT NIGHT. VIRGIN MARY, GIVE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT TO THE DEVIL AND HIS AGENTS. Our father in heaven, hollowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
C: Give us today our daily bread. Forgive our sins as you do to all who sin and repent. Do not take us into temptation but rescue us from evil. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus (Simeo).
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L:  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
C:  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
L: Baba Simeo, take away our sins.
C: Deliver us from eternal punishment.
L: Take the spirits of all to heaven.
C: Especially those who seek your grace.
L: 3RD DECADE: THE BLOODY PERSECUTION AT EPHESUS NZOIA. VIRGIN MARY, GIVE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT TO THE DEVIL AND HIS AGENTS. Our father in heaven, hollowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
C: Give us today our daily bread. Forgive our sins as you do to all who sin and repent. Do not take us into temptation but rescue us from evil. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus (Simeo).
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L:  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
C:  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
L: Baba Simeo, take away our sins.
C: Deliver us from eternal punishment.
L: Take the spirits of all to heaven.
C: Especially those who seek your grace.
L: 4TH DECADE: THE DESTRUCTION OF CALVARY CHURCH. VIRGIN MARY, GIVE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT TO THE DEVIL AND HIS AGENTS. Our father in heaven, hollowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
C: Give us today our daily bread. Forgive our sins as you do to all who sin and repent. Do not take us into temptation but rescue us from evil. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus (Simeo).
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L:  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
C:  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
L: Baba Simeo, take away our sins.
C: Deliver us from eternal punishment.
L: Take the spirits of all to heaven.
C: Especially those who seek your grace.
L: 5TH DECADE: BABA SIMEO DIES OF POISONING 25 YEARS AFTER MAMA MARIA’S DEATH. VIRGIN MARY, GIVE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT TO THE DEVIL AND HIS AGENTS. Our father in heaven, hollowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
C: Give us today our daily bread. Forgive our sins as you do to all who sin and repent. Do not take us into temptation but rescue us from evil. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus (Simeo).
C: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
L:  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
C:  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
L: Baba Simeo, take away our sins.
C: Deliver us from eternal punishment.
L: Take the spirits of all to heaven.
C: Especially those who seek your grace.
PART C: HAIL, HOLY QUEEN
L: Hail with prayers, Hail Holy Queen.
C: Mother of Mercy. Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you, we cry poor banished children of Eve, to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us and after this, our exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
L: Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
C:  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
L: Let us Pray.
C: O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant we beseech you, that meditating upon these mysteries in the most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord, Amen.
L:  Most Sacred Heart of Jesus     C: Have mercy on us.
L:  Immaculate Heart of Mary       C:  Pray for us.
L:  St. Joseph                                    C: Pray for us.
L:  St. John the Evangelist              C: Pray for us.
L:  St. Louis-Marie de Montfort     C: Pray for us.
L: In the Name of the Father.
C: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
PART D: CATENA LEGIO MARIA ANTIPHON
L: Catena Legio Maria antiphon.
C: Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array? My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.  He looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call me blessed. The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is his name! His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him. He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted. He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly. He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty. He protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy, the mercy promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his sons forever.

L:  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
C:  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
L: antiphon
C: Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?
L:   O Mary, conceived without sin
C:  Pray for us who have recourse to you.
L:  Let Us Pray
C: O Lord Jesus Christ, our mediator with the Father, you have been pleased to appoint the most Blessed Virgin, your mother, to be our mother also, and our mediatrix with you, mercifully grant that whoever comes to you, seeking your favors may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen.
L:  In the Name of the Father.
C: In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
L: We fly to your patronage, Maria.
C: That you care for us. O Holy Mother of God, despise not our prayers in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and Blessed Virgin.
L:  Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces
C:   Pray for us.
L
:  St. Michael and St. Gabriel
C: Pray for us.
L:  All you heavenly Powers, Mary’s Legions of Angels
C.   Pray for us.
L.
  St. John the Baptist
C.    Pray for us.
L.
    Saints Peter and Paul.
C.    Pray for us.
L: Let us pray
C: Confer, O Lord, on us, who serve beneath the Standard of Mary, that fullness of faith in you, and trust in her, to which it is given to conquer the world. Grant us a lively faith, animated by charity, which will enable us to perform all our actions from the motive of pure love of you, and ever to see you and serve you in our neighbor; a faith, firm and immovable as a rock, through which we shall rest tranquil and steadfast amid the crosses, toils and disappointments of life; a courageous faith which will inspire us to undertake and carry out without hesitation great things for your glory and for the salvation of souls; a faith which will be our Legion’s Pillar of Fire - to lead us forth united - to kindle everywhere the fires of divine love - to enlighten those who are in darkness and the shadow of death - to inflame those who are lukewarm - to bring life to those who are dead in sin; and which will guide our own feet in the way of peace; so that - the battle of life over -our Legion may reassemble, without the loss of anyone, in the kingdom of your love and glory. Amen.
L: May the souls of our departed Legio Maria, and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
C: Amen.
L: Our Lord Baba Simeo.
C: We run to you here. Our faith brings us to you. We shall live on. Our faith shall give us everlasting life after our sojourn on earth. We come before your cross to get true faith amongst your people. O guardian angels, dress us in white garments, wipe our tears with white cloths.
L: God the Father, accept us.
C: Lord, accept us.
L: God the Son, accept us.
C: Lord, accept us.
L: God the Holy Spirit, come lead us.
C: Lord, accept us.
 L:  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
C:  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
L: Baba Simeo, take away our sins.
C: Deliver us from eternal punishment.
L: Take the spirits of all to heaven.
C: Especially those who seek your grace.
L: L:  In the Name of the Father.
C: In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

……END……END…….
By Deacon Tobias Oloo

Legio Maria Takes Shape: Leadership and Organization of Legio Maria




When Legio Maria became an independent organization from the Roman Catholic Church, it had no official leaders, except Simeo Ondeto and Mama Maria. Soon, the church hierarchy had to be declared in order to create structures for growth and development. Simeo Ondeto was declared the founder and spiritual leader. Moreover, he was declared the eternal spiritual leader. The early Legio Maria followers did know him as God, but in the church hierarchy, he was made the eternal spiritual leader. The second person in rank was Mama Maria. Mama Maria was revered a lot and the movement was named after her, just as the parent Catholic Movement was named after Virgin Mary. In order of protocol, she was the second highest in rank.
 
At the beginning of Legio Maria, there was no pope. The movement did not declare its full independence from the Roman Catholic Church’s Pope based in Rome, Italy, as soon as it began. While they believed in Simeo Ondeto and Mama Maria, the church members still respected John Paul II and Cardinal Maurice Otunga of Kenya. The third highest rank was, therefore, given to Timotheo Atila, who became the first Legio Maria Cardinal. Below Atila were arch-bishops and bishops, priests and deacons. The highest female rank apart from Mama Maria’s was a rank below the male deacon.  

By 1965, the position of Atila Timotheo as a leader was already becoming vital for the movement as it was necessary to cut ties with Rome after the Roman Catholic Church colluded with the government to persecute Legio Maria. To distinguish his role from that of Simeo Ondeto, Atila Timotheo was named the first Legio Maria pope. 


Some of the most important leaders at the beginning of Legio Maria were:
a.       Bishop Alois Owuonda
b.      Cardinal Mumbo Carilus
c.       Pope Timotheo Atila
d.      Chiaji Lawrence
e.      Hebert Aloo
f.        Silvester Okweto
g.       Siprianus Ochieng
h.      Othuogo
i.        Johannes Muga Ondiwa
j.        Angi Clement
k.       Mercelianus Orongo
l.        Abala Rafael
m.    On’gombe Romanus
n.      Johannes Baru


Obviously from the list above, men were given the top hierarchy than women. However, there were several women who excelled into recognition. Some top women were:
a.       Maria Ombwayo
b.      Pilista On’gombe
c.       Dorina Baru
d.      Gaudencia Aoko
e.      Sr. Helena
f.        Wilfrida Magel
g.       Susana Ouma

 Legio Maria Headquarter and Other Churches



Got Okwon’g (Hill of Sacrifice/Hill of Calvary) became headquarter of Legio Maria.  There the seat of Legio Maria rested. The church was then organized into nations headed by cardinals. For instance, cardinals were named as Cardinal Uganda, Cardinal Tanzania, Cardinal Kenya, and Cardinal Burundi, among others. 

  Besides, two most powerful cardinals were also named: Cardinal Dean and Cardinal Charlemagne (Administrator). Cardinal Dean, who was in direct line to succeed pope, worked closely with the pope because he would be the next to the office as soon as the pope died. During the tenure of Atila Timotheo as pope, cardinal Dean was Chiaji Lawrence. The position has also been occupied by Rafael Adika, who served in the position of cardinal dean during the papal tenure of Chiaji Lawrence. Currently, Legio Maria has two popes because of the divisions that occurred in 2009/2010. Cardinal Administrator holds the office that manages the transfer of all ordained persons. Below cardinals are archbishops, bishops, priests, deacons and nuns (mothers), brothers, and sisters.

Legio Maria: Background of Legio Maria



Simeo Ondeto founded the Legion Maria (Maria Legio/Legio Maria Church of Africa) in the early 1960s.  While the movement did not begin solely through the work of Simeo Ondeto, he fashioned it and made it a formidable religious group that could attract followers from different tribes and nations of the earth. Legio Maria was a transformation of the Roman Catholic Church local Legion of Mary movement into a purely new experience of God.

ALSO READ:  Who is Simeo Ondeto?


Here is the background to Legion Maria:
1.     Ready Local Environment for Legio Maria

During the late 1950s to the early 1960s, the local Kenyan scene was tense with nationalism and African fight for freedom against the yoke of colonialism. The Mau Mau and other political organizations were struggling to close the horrific Chapter of black oppression. It is during this time that resentment increased in the local churches and Africans wanted to worship God in a way that did not conflict with their traditional beliefs.  In fact, there were increased breakaway movements from the local churches as Africans formed their own independent churches.

When Simeo Ondeto appeared in the scene and was recognized immediately as a prophet and great teacher, many people traveled to listen to him. His teachings were full of inspiration and hope for Africans. He delivered the much-needed hope that the yoke of colonialism and oppression would end soon and Africans would be free again to live their own lives without being bullied around.



Simeo Ondeto also identified with and publicly supported African freedom fighters such as Dedan Kimathi, Jomo Kenyatta, Oginga Odinga, Thomas Mboya and many others. On his part, however, he insisted on religious freedom, inspiring Africans to realize that they too were created by God and were equal with other races in the eyes of God.

2. Trust in Spirits/Superstition

The environment was also ready in terms of African trust in spirits. The local communities believed in the existence of spirits (juogi) and practices such as exorcism and divination were still popular. In fact, in communities where almost all people believed in the existence of witchcraft, spiritual solutions to most of the problems and calamities were quite popular. For instance, the sick prayed to God for help, but also frequently consulted diviners, mediums and magicians for solutions. Since the locals lived in perpetual fear of witches and always looked for solutions for their fears, sickness, poverty, failure or curses from charismatics and those with spiritual power, Simeo Ondeto quickly became popular as a healer, prophet and leader of the masses by providing the spiritual solutions they sought. Indeed, through charismatic people such as Vitalis Okelo Oketa and Gaudencia Aoko, the new movement attracted streams of followers who sought for solutions to their problems.





3. Desire for Greater Inclusion in Church Service

In the local Roman Catholic Church where Simeo Ondeto was a member and auxilliary catechist, members of the congregations played marginal roles in the church services. The priests and other clergy dominated the Sunday services and interpreted the scriptures to the people, and there was minimal involvement of the lay.  On the contrary, the lay Legio Maria movement and the growing numbers of independent churches offered greater room for the lay to participate in church service, attracting more new followers than the established churches. In fact, Maria Ragot of Nyabondo in Nyakach attracted followers even from the local Roman Catholic Church because she not only offered spiritual solutions, but also allowed for greater participation of the lay in church services.





4.      Mama Maria and the Gelling of Myths

The appearance of Maria Regina Owich (Mama Maria) in the scene in the early 1960s was an important factor in the development of Legio Maria. As soon as she appeared, she immediately took up the place of Virgin Mary and was soon adored as the mother of God. But most importantly, almost all the local myths about a wandering woman in the Luo nation were associated with her. For instance, she was said to have directly fallen from heaven in a rainbow with her spiritual son Simeo Ondeto. After coming through the rainbow, she fell on Lake Victoria and lived in the lake. The local narrative about Nyamgondho Kombare was used to explain how this woman left the lake and lived with people. So Legio Maria took it that Mama Maria was the one fished out of the water by Mai, Son of Ombare, who lived in Gwassi, by the shores of Lake Victoria according to the Nyamgondho Kombare myth.

                    The  Blessed  Mama Maria (Legion Maria's Virgin Mary)

Mama Maria was then associated with the myth of Simbi Nyaima in Karachuonyo. From the story of Simbi Nyaima in which it is said that an old woman did sink an entire village because she was insulted, beaten, and denied shelter, the Legio Maria movement got a story equivalent to the mythical story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Another story that bolstered her position was that of the wandering woman called Mother of Omolo Nyunja. This story was now popular among the luo and parents used to scare their crying children to silence by threatening them with the appearance of the wandering woman. By combining these local narratives with the Fatima mysteries, the Legio Maria followers created a fantastic and pithy narrative of Virgin Mary, which helped to legitimize and promote the new movement.





5.      Testimony of Mama Maria

Mama Maria said that she had visited several Roman Catholic churches before she appeared in Legio Maria. Most importantly, she said that she was the one who appeared to Lucia Santos in Fatima. This claim immediately made her to be linked with Virgin Mary. But most essentially, she stated that she had come to Africa because it was time for Africa to lead the world into the worship of God. This statement was relevant to the African perception of themselves and for their sense of identity. The statement was also relevant in the context of independence and self-rule. Furthermore, when she united with Simeo Melkio Ondeto, the two stated that they had come from heaven and were going to lead Africans into religious independence.





6. Testimonies of Former Roman Catholics

Timothy Atila, First Pope of Legion Maria

Being initially Catholics, majority of the earliest followers of Baba Simeo Melkio and Mama Maria were Roman Catholics. These Catholics soon became the catechists and priests of Legio Maria. But more importantly, they corroborated what Mama Maria said about her journeys and revelations. The Catholics were slightly familiar with the Fatima secrets and promoted them as prophecies about Legio Maria. Furthermore, former Catholics, such as Timotheo Atila and Susana Ouma testified about their experiences with this woman when they were still Catholics. 



For example, Atila Timotheo testified that the woman appeared to her several times when he was still in school and called him to join the new Legio Maria movement. Susana Ouma testified about her experiences with Baba Simeo Ondeto right from when she was a little girl, while other former Roman Catholics like Peter Oswago, Vitalis Okelo, Romanus On’gombe, Omolo Malo Malo, Abala Rafael, Gaudencia Aoko, and Juma Pesa, all said that they had either had or known of visitations and appearances of Mama Maria. Indeed, all of them trusted and supported her claim to be Virgin Mary.

7.      Roman Catholic Opposition to Charismatics

When Legio Maria movement was still part of the Roman Catholic Church lay movement called the Legion of Mary and most of its members, including Mama Maria and Baba Simeo Ondeto attended Sunday services in local Catholic churches, the Roman Catholic Church started expressing opposition towards their charismatic powers. For instance, when Simeo was paid his first salary as a catechist, he used the entire salary to buy a huge crucifix and would go to church with this crucifix, a behavior which was distasteful to the local Catholic priests. On the contrary, the lay Legion Maria movement offered so much room for charismatics and for members to express their charismatic gifts freely. In fact, charismatics such as Maria Ragot and Vitalis Okelo were also former Roman Catholics who sought for more freedom in lay movements.



The Roman Catholic opposition occurred until after 1966. The persecution of Ondeto and other Legio Maria worshippers were instigated by the local Roman Catholic Church. Ondeto was arrested severally and was detained in a number of occasions. Ondeto was also arrested and beaten by the police and his Legio Maria headquarter at Got Kwer was burnt in 1966. But through these persecutions, the position of Simeo Ondeto as the savior of Africans from spiritual tyranny of Catholic Church was cemented. He was called savior and Messiah because of his suffering.

8.       Legio Maria Pentecostal Day

Just like Christians have a Pentecostal day and like the people of Israel were gathered at Mt. Sinai to make a covenant with God, Legio Maria Pentecostal day is the most important event in the foundation and development of the movement. The day had been predicted by Simeo Ondeto and Mama Maria, and so when it came to pass, the position of the two as true people of God was confirmed.





During the Legio Maria Pentecostal Day, a loud chorus of voices was heard by people who were gathered at John Baru’s home, in Suna Migori. The chorus was of four different but familiar Roman Catholic songs. When the chorus or spiritual voices had sung and entered at John Baru’s home, a wind of spirit filled each person who was there. Over 1000 people at once began to speak in tongues, to jump in the compound, to sing, and to proclaim the names of Simeo Ondeto and Mama Maria.

All the over 1000 people testified that they all saw angels and saints singing and joining with them. The saints and angels were also seen worshipping Ondeto, whom they saw as sitting on a throne. When finally all the noise and cheers were silent, the spirit spoke through one person, Siprianus Ochieng. It is on this day that the spirit declared Simeo Ondeto as God’s son and Mama Maria as Virgin Mary. From that day on, Legio Maria’s progress was directed by the spirit and Simeo Ondeto was worshipped as the son of God.