austraLasia #1947

ADMA - reflections from an EAO member on a significant meeting

MANILA: 28th September 2007 -- The 5th International Congress of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (known as ADMA from its Italian nomenclature) was widely reported in ANS, hence there is little point in re-hashing details of chronology and events. But a deeper reflection on what this Convention meant for a spirituality which Don Bosco himself gave shape to by founding ADMA would be useful.  We thank Fr Nestor Impelido, the FIN Salesian Delegate, who was accomapnied by two ADMA members to Mexico for the event, for such a reflection. What follows are his words.
    "I consider as salient the following elements discussed by speakers during the Congress:
    (1) The elements for a sound catechesis regarding the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe: its Christocentricity, its capacity to dialogue interpersonally and culturally, its ecclesiality and its aim to discover the meaning of one's existence (Sr. Guadalupe Chavez FMA).
    (2) Devotion to Mary Help of Christians: devotion rooted in the experience of Don Bosco, his mind and work, his sentiments and initiatives (Fr Antonio Escudero SDB)
    (3) The Portrait of Mary Help of Christians in the Basilica in Turin: MHC as dreamt of and known by Don Bosco; his sense of Church expressed in the trinomial...love of Jesus present principally in the Eucharist; devotion to Mary, mother and model of the Church; fidelity to the Pope as successor of Peter, present admirably in the fusion Don Bosco made in the title Help of Christians and that of Mother of the Church (Fr Pascual Chavez SDB).
    I consider important the three point project indicated by the Rector Major in his farewell talk (18th August)....
    (1) That ADMA contribute to recovering the devotion to MHC, focusing on the Salesian constitutive element of Salesian identity (that devotion is not a mere option but a reality in life and a conviction).
    (2) That ADMA should involve and go to the young for their maturation to the faith.
    (3) That ADMA offer a serious programme of Marian formation for its members (thru the study of Paul VI's 'Marialis Cultus').
    At this point Fr Nesty draws conclusions and implications for ADMA in his own province.  His reflection, and his capacity to draw the essentials out of the event however may well offer other provinces a basis for conclusions and implications in their own regard, which might include the obvious - the need of making SDBs aware of their task to spread devotion to MHC, see ADMA members as part of the Salesian Family and provide the necessary spiritual animation to existing groups - or consider encouraging the existence of such a group.
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