Brief History It was in July 1947 that Legion of Mary was organized in Capiz.

The Senatus of Northern Philippines (Manila) conducted an extension work on May 1948 in Capiz with Mr. & Mrs. Andres and Anita Decipeda who were vice-president and secretary of the Senatus respectively. In June 1948, however, an unexpected collaboration took place when Mr. & Mrs. Decipida made coordination with Ester Javellana, who was the Curia president of Jaro and agreed to work hand in hand for the establishment of Capiz as Curia. Six months later, Capiz Curia was born with eleven (11) praesidia in December 18, 1948. The inaugural meeting was done at Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion in Roxas City with the election of the following officers: President: Hermina Aldea (Bisnar); Vice President: Socorro Mejorada; Secretary: Rosario Ardena; Asst. Secretary: Nilma Aguillar; Teasurer: Lucea Abadisco; Asst. Treasurer: Edith Almoso and Espiriual Director: Rev. Fr. Quintin Salido. Various praesidia were organized in 1949 1951 such as Loctogan, Kalibo, Mambusao, Sigma, Numancia, Ibajay and Malinao. Faith had grown in Capiz and in the component towns and massive evangelization took place which resulted to the creation of Capiz as Diocese in January 27, 1951 with Most Rev. Manuel Yap, D.D as the first bishop. The following year 1952, the Most Rev. Antonio F. Frondoza, D.D was appointed as the second bishop of Capiz. It was in his incumbency that many curiae and paesidia were organized like Dao, in Sept. 6, 1959; Panay in Sept. 4, 1960 and later on Dumalag and Tapaz in 1963; Panitan in 1986 and Mt. Carmel in 1990. It was in 1962 that the Capiz Comitium was born the following officers: President: Reinaldo Aguilar; Vice- President: Nilda Roxas; Secretary: Lila Declaro; Treasurer: Cristeta Demingoy. After long years of loving service and faithful dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary they were succeeded by the following: President: Renita Delfin; Vice-President: Marina Olmo; Secretary: Lucy Buenvenida; Teasurer: Fanny Grandflor. The Capiz Comitium from its start was served by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Sinforiano Fuerte as Spiritual Director for almost three decades. He was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Vicente F. Hilata, P.A.,V.G. and later on with Rt. Rev. Msgr. Dexter Irisari. In 1986 the Most Rev. Onesimo C. Gordoncillo, D.D. took the seat as the 3 rd bishop of Capiz. The Building of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) was his primary advocacy and the pastoral priority of the Archdiocese to better speed up the evangelization program. It was in this time that Legion of Mary played its vital role along these years with the massive apostolate which helped much in the maturing of the faith of the people. The Commission Officers in 1990 to 2004 were: President: Lucy Buenvenida, Vice-Pres: Marina Olmo, Secretary: Renita Delfin, Treasurer: Fanny Granflor. In 2009 new set of officers served the Comitium until the present. They are the following: President: Nilda D. Baltar; Vice President: Vivencia Onasin; Secretary: Nora D. Mayo; Treasurer: Linda B. Bacabac with Rev. Msgr. Policarpio John A. Luza, Ph.D. as Spiritual Director. Due to frequent visitation and regular monthly meeting there was an increase of number of curiae from eight to ten. The same with the directly attached praesidia from eleven to twenty one. There was a marked increased in attendance. The different venues of meetings were used such as the Parish of Mt. Carmel in Mansion Rd., Cathedral Rectory and later the Capiz Archdiocesan Catechetical Institute (CACI) in Baybay, Roxas City. Among the activities/events such as; the Acies, September Functions and Christmas Reunion were celebrated in different venues which added color and more meaningful celebrations. These activities had been looked forward by the Legionaries. Furthermore, with the succession of the Most Rev. Jose F. Advincula, D.D. as the fourth bishop of Capiz it is looked forward that Legion of Mary would spread rapidly to the newly created parishes, quasi-parish and mission stations. MPJAL