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. _________________ AustraLasia is an
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