Frank Duff was born in Dublin, Ireland, on June 7, 1889. He was the eldest of seven children. In 1913, he joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and was greatly influenced by the spirit of the Society. As a member, he gradually came to have a great love for the poor and underprivileged, in whom, as in everyone he met, he recognized and honored Christ. In 1916, aged 27, he published his first pamphlet "Can We Be Saints?"  In it he expressed one of the strongest convictions of his life, namely, that all without exception are called to be Saints, and that through our Catholic Faith we have available the means necessary to attain this.

In 1917, he came to know the Treatise of St. Louis Marie de Montfort on the True Devotion to Mary, a work which changed his life completely, and resulted in his founding of the Legion of Mary. This is a lay apostolic organization at the service of the Church, under ecclesiastical guidance.  Its twofold purpose is the spiritual development of its members and advancing the Reign of Christ through Our Lady, the Mother of God.  The Legion which is to be found in 168 countries, has more than three million active members and many more auxiliary members, who pray the daily Legion Prayers.  In 1965, Pope Paul VI invited Frank Duff to attend the Second Vatican Council as a Lay Observer, and honor by which the Pope recognized and affirmed his enormous work for the Lay Apostolate.

On November 7, 1980, Frank Duff died, and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetary, Dublin
Ireland.  In July 1996, the Cause for his Beatification was introduced by the then Archbishop of Dublin, now his Eminence, Desmond Cardinal Connell.

If you have received a favour attributed to Frank Duff's intercession, please write and describe the circumstances of the action, and mail to: Legion of Mary, De Montford House, Morning Star Avenue, Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.