Reports Africa Capo Verde Praia Regia: The attached Santa Caterina Comitium has over 1000 active members. 700 people were invited to join the Legion and 220 accepted. New praesidia have commenced in 3 areas where the Legion had collapsed. Ghana Accra Senatus: Kumasi Comitium took on the responsibilities of Regia in December 2005. A Conference was organised in the Diocese of Wa with the theme 'The Legionary and the Eucharist'. 1070 legionaries from 17 of the 18 Dioceses attended. The Bishop of Wa, 10 priests, 15 Rev. Sisters, 2 Deacons and 4 legionaries from Burkino Faso also attended. The Patrician society is being promoted. An extension drive was held after the Mass to commemorate the Servant of God, Frank Duff and 670 were contacted. The Seminary praesidia reported. The Cape Coast Comitium has 12 senior praesidia and a senior and Junior Curia attached. 68 lapsed returned to practice, 10 non-Christians were instructed and received into the Church. As a result of visiting parents, 300 infants were baptised, 500 received Baptism, 300 received First Holy Communion and 150 were Confirmed. Zimbabwe Hwange Comitium: 4 priests were in attendance at the setting up of the Curia at St. Mary's Mission. A new praesidium of 18 members commenced at Mangodoma and the praesidium at St. Monica's has 21 male members. 168 attended the general Reunion at which the juniors put on a play about the 'birth of Jesus'. The Curia in Namibia is corresponding and reports a growing membership. Mupamaonde Curia: This Curia is now in the Diocese of Masvingo. New members have been recruited and catechism is taught. Lesotho Lesotho Senatus: A 3 day Conference in December 2005 was attended by legionaries from 12 of the 13 Comitia, 3 Curiae and 4 praesidia, in addition there was a Priest and 7 Rev. Sisters. The visitation of councils is helping to strengthen the Legion in the area. Many children and shepherds are being taught catechism. Orphans and prisoners are visited. The translation of the Handbook into Se Sotho has been completed and it is now being proof read. Republic of South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland Cape Town Senatus: The 9 praesidia in the Keimoes/Kakamus area have renewed contact. The Port Elizabeth Comitium had a successful extension trip into the Eastern Cape. Members of a praesidium run the Diocesan Library and the Bishop appointed the President as librarian. The prison is visited every Sunday and a Communion service is conducted for female prisoners. A haven for street children aged 5 to 16 is visited. An attached Curia has 9 praesidia and some of the legionaries have attended AIDS/HIV courses. Johannesburg Senatus: At Edenvale 4 Exploratio Dominicalis projects were made to a squatter camp where 23 Catholics were found and the Rosary was recited in some of the homes. On a visit to a correction home for children 1 teacher and 8 children were found to be Catholics. Contacts are made in the streets, in the shops and in taxis. As a result of reciting the Rosary in the homes of the bereaved, several have come back to practice. The praesidium in Rietvalle deals with contacts who speak Se Sotho, English and/or Zulu. Durban Comitium: 200 attended a special Mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception, there were talks on the Legion, miraculous medals were distributed and the Servant of God Frank Duff prayer was recited. Mariannhill Comitium: A copy of the new edition of the Handbook has been sent as the translation into Zulu is almost completed with the assistance of a Professor who is proof reading as the material becomes available to him. A praesidium of 17 was successful in getting a family to undertake instruction. Prisoners were visited on 70 occasions. A praesidium of 14 members gives religious instruction to children. Matatiele Comitium has 15 praesidia attached. Homes and hospitals are visited and catechism is taught. St. Augustine's Comitium: 60 patients with AIDS and 28 bereaved families were visited and comforted. Angola Benguela Regia: 2 new Comitia have been set up at Cubal and Tchikomba. The Comitium at Lobito has numerous praesidia with a membership of almost 4000. Catechism is taught to adults and children. Retreats were held in Lent and Advent. Luanda Regia: The Regia has 6 Comitia, 4 senior and 2 junior Curiae and 17 praesidia. The Legion co-operates with the Archdiocese of Luanda in a UNICEF funded programme for the eradication of polio. Europe England Liverpool Senatus: Newcastle Comitium has 5 Curiae with 31 senior and 1 junior praesidia attached. The praesidium in Ushaw Seminary has 7 seminarian members. Several hundred people attended a Eucharistic rally in Manchester, a crib Rosary was recited at the town centre in December. Legionaries in St. Helen's Curia visit schools and give talks to First Holy Communion classes. The Rosary is said weekly with 30 children attending. Birmingham Senatus: Many returns to practice have been reported by directly attached praesidia including a person who had not been to Confession for 60 years. Weekly school prayer is organised in Perry Bar and about 35 pupils participate. Regular visits are paid to an African family recently received into the Church. Bristol Curia had a stand at Glastonbury Festival where good contacts were made. To mark the 25th anniversary of the death of the Servant of God, Frank Duff, Coventry Curia organised Masses in 9 parishes on 9 consecutive days. Wales Swansea Curia (under the caretakership of Birmingham Senatus): Members carry out visitation of hospitals, nursing homes, sheltered accommodation and a prison. Wrexham Curia (under the caretakership of Liverpool Senatus): One of the attached praesidia organises a fortnightly "Wednesday Club" at which the Rosary is recited. A few non-Catholics attend. Cardiff Comitium: Active and auxiliary membership is strong. The sick are visited at home and in hospital. Scotland Glasgow Senatus: A city Curia with 19 praesidia comprising 106 active, 850 auxiliary, 25 Praetorian and 40 Adjutorian members has set up 2 new praesidia. Edinburgh Curia with 12 praesidia has recruited 2 more active and 25 auxiliary members. The Rosary is said at cribs at various centres at Christmas and good contacts are made. Belgium Brussels Senatus: The Congolese praesidium carries out an apostolate to street Girls. France Paris Regia governs 5 Curiae including one for the Vietnamese and 20 directly attached praesidia including distant ones at Nevers, St. Malo and a Cape Verdean group at Amiens. A praesidium for people from the Ivory Coast, which was set up in Paris in 2005 grew to 24 members and has been divided. The president of Versailles Curia assisted in extension in Madagascar where 5 praesidia were established. Valence Regia: Attached are a Comitium at Lyon, 2 Curiae at Nice and Montelimar and 20 praesidia including a junior group. A new praesidium for Africans has been set up in Lyon and the 11 active members in Crest are engaged in a varied apostolate in their parish, Switzerland Luzern Comitium: The attached North East Curia has 3 praesidia doing home visitation, street contact and organising Patrician groups. Fribourg Curia: Members visit the sick and elderly at home and in hospital and do works of service for them, Luxembourg Curia: Praesidia give special attention to their auxiliary members. Germany Frankfurt Senatus: The Korean Curia in Frankfurt has 9 praesidia with 77 active members and 140 auxiliaries. It organised the Baptism of 11 adults and 4 children on Christmas Day 2005 and promote a youth Mass. Cologne Regia comprises 1 Comitium, 5 Curiae and 6 directly attached praesidia. It visits a prison. Berlin Comitium: Cardinal Sterzinsky attended the opening of the new Comitium in Berlin on 29 October 2005. The Berlin Korean Curia has 10 praesidia and organises monthly adoration as a means of promoting the Cause of the Servant of God Frank Duff. Freiburg Comitium with 2 Curiae and 7 directly attached praesidia is undertaking extension. Curia Darmstadt comprises 9 praesidia. Seven people spanning 3 generations from a Russian family were baptised. Munich Senatus: A Talk on the Legion was given at the priest's seminary in Eichstaett. A street apostolate and an Advent musical event were held in the inner city of Munich. 27 legionaries attended the retreat organised by Curia Ingolstadt. Comitium Passau undertake an apostolate to the ships on the Danube. Curia Teisendorf has 11 senior and 1 junior praesidia. Extension was carried out in Dresden. Curia Amberg-Weiden with 12 praesidia runs Patrician groups. Netherlands Amsterdam Senatus: The praesidium in Groningen works with immigrants and prisoners and does home visitation. On a visit to an immigration centre, the legionaries were able to speak to about 40 people. A praesidium in Amsterdam visits street girls, one of whom has given up that way of life. Middle East Israel Jerusalem Comitium: Successful efforts have been made to bring people back to Mass and to reconcile families. West Indies Dominican Republic Regia of Santiago de los Caballeros: Comitium Tenares has 10 attached praesidia and 3 Curiae. A new praesidium was started with 14 members. Their works include preparing children for the Sacraments and adults for Marriage, visiting hospitals and orphanages. Results include 1 marriage regularised, a girl was helped to receive the Sacraments, and she joined the Legion. 4 families at enmity were reconciled. Comitium Valverde Mao gives catechetical instruction to prisoners and prays the Rosary with them. They set up 2 praesidia and a new Curia is in formation. Trinidad Regia: Contact has been re-established. Canada Montreal Senatus: The Senatus has 1 Comitium, 10 Curiae and 13 praesidia attached. Most of the work is visiting the sick and bringing the Pilgrim Virgin to homes. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is organised by some praesidia. 2 Congresses were held in October 2005. One praesidium is composed of handicapped people. Vancouver Comitium: Several reports were received of returns to the Sacraments and 5 legionaries help in the prison ministry. Queen of Apostles Curia has 2 people interested in the Church as a result of street contact. Exploratio Dominicalis projects have taken place. Ontario Senatus: Works include street and market contact. Members also visit hostels for the homeless. A new praesidium has started with 10 members. Asia Philippines Manila Senatus: Baltann Comitium has 31 Patrician groups. To mark the 62nd anniversary of the Legion in that diocese, the Bishop invited the Comitium officers to a meeting of all the priests, at which he gave a mandate for the Legion. Makati Comitium covers 6 parishes, 6 Curiae and 14 praesidia. They visited 1,400 homes and arranged for Baptisms, Confirmation and Marriages, as well as seeing 147 converted to the Faith. Cagayan De Oro Senatus: Reports regularly feature follow up work resulting in many miracles of grace by way of returns to the Sacraments, marriages reconciled and Block Rosaries continue to be promoted. Auxiliary, Praetorian membership and promotion of the Cause of the Servant of God Frank Duff feature in all reports. Cebu Senatus covers 1 Regia, 16 Comitia, 13 Curiae and 6 praesidia. Curiae with too many praesidia are being encouraged to set up higher councils. Reports mention recovery of lapsed, validation of marriages, baptisms and conversions. A project to Camotes Island resulted in 13 praesidia being established or revived. Bicolandia Senatus: Works include visitation of the jails, catechism instruction to children in schools and after Mass. In one Comitium area the legionaries arranged for 590 couples to have their marriages blessed by the Church. A recently affiliated praesidium to the Curia is a praesidium in the jail and the local legionaries also visit there once a week. Papua New Guinea Madang Senatus: Goroka an area heavily infiltrated by sects report the conversion of 2 Seventh Day Adventists to Catholicism. In Mirap, 162 lapsed Catholics were contacted, 40 of whom returned to practice. Contact was made with 71 youths with a view to advising them on the dangers associated with the use of condoms and drugs. In the Central Highlands 1,510 persons were helped to return to practice. There are now 10 Curiae in this area comprising 69 praesidia and 1,500 members. Australia Melbourne Senatus: Most of the praesidia in parishes are engaged in the usual Legion apostolates. There are some junior praesidia. Extension is ongoing, the Senatus having set up 12 new praesidia during 2005. The Sudanese praesidium has grown from 3 to 12 members. There are also praesidia working among the Vietnamese, Korean and Chinese communities. Perth Comitium has 38 praesidia with 438 members and 1,812 auxiliaries. Extension in the islands continues despite local conditions. Kiribati, Fiji, Vanuatu and Noumea all saw Legion growth during the year. Sydney Senatus: Reports taken from 12 parishes show the establishment of 5 praesidia. A visit to the Solomon Islands was undertaken with a visit to both Curiae. Promotion of the Cause of the Servant of God Frank Duff is ongoing. New Zealand Auckland Senatus: Home visitation, visits to rest homes, carrying out funeral services and follow up with the bereaved is undertaken. The junior Curia has 8 praesidia with an average of 14 members in each. The 2 Korean Curiae held a Congress. They have 18 and 16 praesidia attached. The Filipino legionaries work with new migrant families, bring Holy Communion to the sick and invited non-Catholics to join in saying the Rosary. American Samoa was visited, the Bishop was met and 3 priests are willing to start the Legion. The Frank Duff leaflet has been translated and the Handbook will be ready in May. Visits by officers of London Curiae to the Concilium A meeting took place on 18 March 2006 with officers of London Curiae, which are at present directly attached to the Concilium. Very fruitful discussions took place and the Concilium is very grateful to the officers who made the sacrifice to attend and participate at the meeting. Some of the officers attended the Concilium meeting next day. All were very appreciative of being able to come to the Concilium. Cause for the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe A Mass to commemorate the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe, which was arranged by Annunciata Curia, Dublin, was celebrated in Rathmines parish Church on 25 February 2006. The celebrants were Rev. Fr. R. Kelly, C.C. Donore Avenue and Rev. Fr. F. Dunne, C.S.SR, Spiritual Director of the Curia. An inspiring homily on Alfie Lambe's deep devotion to Our Lady was given by Fr. Kelly. About 250 people attended. Election of new Concilium Officer Declan Lawlor, president of Presentata Curia was unanimously elected Assistant Treasurer of the Concilium having been duly proposed and seconded for the office. Appointment of a new Envoy Bernardo De Nardo was appointed Envoy to Asia for a period of 3 years. He will start his work in a country where there is a Legion presence and he will move on to other adjoining countries in due course. Tommy McCabe, President of the Concilium, thanked Bernardo for his generosity in offering his services to the Concilium. Bernardo said it was a great honour, privilege and adventure for him to serve Our Lady in the special role of an Envoy and he asked for prayers for his work in Asia. Tribunal for the Cause of the Servant of God, Frank Duff Rt. Rev. Mgr. Alex Stenson P.P. Maynooth has been appointed Episcopal Delegate to the Tribunal for the Cause of the Servant of God, Frank Duff by His Grace Archbishop Diarmuid Martin D.D. Archbishop of Dublin. The Concilium thanks Rt. Rev. Mgr. Jerome Curtin who had been Episcopal Delegate to the Cause. Guidelines, information and proposals for Legion websites As the website is an opportune and relatively easy means of making the Legion and its apostolate known throughout the world, each higher Council is encouraged to have a website for its own area with appropriate links complying with Concilium guidelines. (See Concilium Website www.legion-of-mary.i.e.) Very Reverend Gerald Canon Healy R.I.P. (1917 - 2006) Very Rev. Gerald Canon Healy died on 20 February 2006 at the age of 89. His funeral took place on the 23 February from the Little Sisters of the Poor Holy Family Residence, Roebuck to Shanganagh Cemetery. Canon Healy had been a chaplain to the Little Sisters of the Poor for many years. His remains were received at Roebuck by Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, on Tuesday, 22 February. Father R. Neville P.P. was principal celebrant at the Funeral Mass concelebrated by about 20 priests. Father Bede McGregor O.P., Spiritual Director of the Concilium, gave an inspiring homily, which was greatly appreciated by Canon Healy's family and by all those who heard it. The removal and funeral were attended by Concilium Officers, and by a large number of legionaries. The Legion prayers were said at the graveside by Fr. McGregor. Canon Healy had served as Spiritual Director of Vereranda Curia, Dublin, for 55 years. He attended his last Curia meeting on the 16 February and the Concilium meeting on Sunday 19 February. He attended Curia Officers' and Curia meetings and regularly attended the Concilium meeting. His Allocutios were carefully prepared and copies were circulated. He was an active Spiritual Director in the various parishes in which he served. He had a great interest in the Patricians, and participated in Youth Projects both in Ireland and Germany. He had a great interest in the work for non-Catholics and attended meetings of the Pauline Circle. He was appointed by the Archbishop of Dublin as Diocesan Chaplain to the Legion of Mary. On occasions Canon Healy acted as Spiritual Director at the Concilium meeting. Canon Healy was a small, quiet, shy and holy man with a big laugh. His contributions were always helpful and to the point. May his gentle soul rest in peace. From the Vatican, 21 February 2006 Dear Ms O'Connor, I am writing to thank you for the copies of the Legion of Mary Bulletin which you regularly send to the Cardinal Secretary of State and myself. I am grateful to you for sending information on the efforts of the members of the Legion, under the patronage of Our Blessed Lady, to extend to all people the saving message of Christ our Lord. With prayerful good wishes, I am Yours sincerely Leonardo Sandri Substitute Ms Anna B. O'Connor Assistant Secretary Concilium Legionis Mariae