I write in response to Archbishop Barry Hickey's call to all parishes to prepare plans for the evangelisation of all people. Over 80 years ago, Frank Duff had a dream after he had read the book True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin by St Louis Marie de Montfort. In 1927 he formed a group under the patronage of Our Lady. This group became known as the Legion of Mary. In 1965 at the Vatican Council, 2500 bishops gave him rousing applause. Pope Paul VI told Frank Duff: "Mr Duff, I thank you for all your services to the Church and to express appreciation for all the Legion of Mary has done. " For in a short span of 30 years, the Legion had spread all over the world like Wildfire.

The reason for this tremendous growth is that the Legion of Mary is built on rock. The Legion Handbook states "The Legion of Mary is at the disposal of the Bishop of the Diocese and the Parish Priest for any form of social service and Catholic action which these authorities may deem suitable to the Legionaries and useful for the welfare of the Church." This is an assurance given to the Church that the Legion of Mary will be faithful to the faith of our fathers.

Another truth that holds this building on solid ground is once again taken from the handbook. The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members. One of the books that Frank Duff wrote was, "Can we be saints?" Our own evangelisation is our priority. We want to be numbered among those -When the saints go marching in!

To successfully climb the mountain of the Lord, Frank Duff encouraged us to make a Covenant with our Lord and Our Lady through the enthronement of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Observing the First Fridays and Saturdays of the month. Encouraging us to receive the Holy Eucharist daily and to pray the Divine Office, to these he offered a higher degree of membership, called the Praetorians. He also encouraged us to use the weapons against Satan, The Rosary, Miraculous Medal and Scapular Medal and many other Sacramentals. Maybe because of these staunchly Catholic practices reflect- ing in the Legionaries Pope John XXIII said of the Legion "The Legion of Mary presents the true face of the Catholic Church."

In this new millennium, Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has given us the Encyclical Letter "Ecclesia De Eucharistia" and the Apostolic Letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae" which has put a new heart into all legionaries. In the first letter, the Holy Father explains to us what an awesome gift, the Eternal Father has given to us in the Eucharist, and in the second letter, the Holy Father says "With the Rosary, the Christian people sit at the school of Mary and are led 10 contemplate the beauty of the face of Christ and experience the depths of His love," thus highlighting the truths Frank Duff had based his Legion on, namely the Holy Eucharist and the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I take this opportunity to thank all Priests and Religious, who guide our Legion as Spiritual Directors. I also thank all Priests and Religious who support the Legion in their Apostolic Work. Finally the Legion of Mary will be very happy if any priest wishes to have the Legion in his Parish in an effort to evangelise the people, if they contact any Legionary, or phone 9328 2726 or write to 36 Windsor St. Perth 6000

Harry Albuquerque, President, Legion of Mary, Perth Comitium.