Port Moresby, PNG, 25 May 2021 -- This year’s celebration of the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians on May 24 in Port Moresby was a special one. The celebration took place in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Boroko East. The Association of Mary Help of Christians (AMHC) known as the ADMA took the helm of the celebration. A big crowd of the Salesian Family and other faithful gathered at 5:30 pm in front of the Shrines’ Marian Grotto. The ADMA group members from Mary Help of Christians Parish Sabama led the gathering in a prayerful recitation of the Holy Rosary. Students from Don Bosco Technical Sschool, Gabutu accompanied some Marian songs with the guitar. Fr. Ambrose Pereira SDB gave the blessing of Mary Help of Christians. To the accompaniment of a Marian song the crowd moved into the lovely decorated Shrine.

Provincial Superior Fr. Gregorio Bicomong Jr. was the main celebrant of the Mass of the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians. Concelebrants were Rev Fr. Jacek Pinocy, Secretary of the Apostolic Nuncio, Fr. Pedro Sachitula – Rector of DBTS Gabutu, Parish Priest of MHC Parish Sabama and Vice Provincial, Fr. Alexander Garcés – President of DBTI, Fr. Mathew Shoji – Rector of Savio Haus, Fr. Albert Swer – Spiritual Moderator of Savio Haus, Fr. Gilbert Pano – Spiritual Moderator of DBTI and Fr. Ambrose Pereira – CBC Secretary for Social Communications. Fr. Eduardo Revilla and Fr. Angelo Fazzini were available to hear Confessions. Teachers and students of DBTS Gabutu animated the liturgy with songs that turned every heart to joy and no foot was left unmoved on the Church’ floor. This year the ADMA’s from the Mary Help of Christians Parish Sabama – groups of Sabama and Gabutu as well as the group from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Boroko East occupied the front rows. In total numbering more than thirty. Among them were four candidates, determined to make their promises as full-fledge members of ADMA.

Fr. Greg sketched a historical outline of Mary, as Helper of the Christians. Further he referred to Don Bosco. After Don Bosco had built to Mary’s glory the votive Sanctuary dedicated to the Help of Christians (Turin Valdocco 1868), following the indications he had received from her in a dream, he conceived a year later the desire to set up in the Basilica the “Association of the Clients of Mary Help of Christians” (18 April 1869) in order to spread throughout the world devotion to Our Lady invoked under this title. The Association of Mary Help of Christians offers a path that leads to holiness and to the Salesian apostolate. It places special emphasis on devotion to the Eucharist and to Mary Help of Christians in every form, both public and private, approved by the Church. Today ADMA is present in 50 countries with 800 groups and forms one part of the 32 groups of the Salesian family.

Finally, Fr. Greg made a remark about the place of the celebration – the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Boroko East. 20 years ago, the Salesian pioneer to PNG Fr. Valeriano Barbero SDB had a vision, a dream. In order to give to the young people of Papua New Guinea a place as a visible sign and a point of reference of the presence of Mary, let the Bishops officially endorse to the Salesians the task to build a Shrine in Her honour. And once this Shrine in Mary’s honour is built have the youth of PNG consecrated to Her. Then miracles will happen. Her words to Don Bosco can become true also for the people of Papua New Guinea: “This is my house; from it my glory shines forth.” And exactly on this beautiful MHC Shrine the four ADMA candidates from the Mary Help of Christians Parish Sabama, Gabutu group made their promises. Namely: Mrs. Anne Dobbin; Mrs. Dorris Takame George; Mrs. Kirsty Latoya Schulz and Ms. Lynette Monakakalu. After the dialog of commitment and the blessing of the badges, membership card, Rosary and prayer card, the four candidates, facing the marvellous altar, where holding the candles with the deep desire to be light (You are the light of the world (Mt. 5:14), to spread grace and to bear witness to what we have experienced: the beauty of entrusting our life to Jesus through Mary.

After the heart touching rite and celebration of the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians the ADMA groups and all involved in helping to make the celebration unforgettable beautiful gathered under the Shrine for a joyous reception. The atmosphere was filled with deepest gratitude and love, so as for sure Mary was well pleased and happy, smiling at Her Sons side in heaven. Yes, we could really feel the presence of Mary, Help of Christians and that we are well protected under Her generous mantle. The ADMA groups continue to pray for more members in the Salesian Family as well as for full-fledged ADMA’s in order to emphasize and spread popular Marian devotion, as a means of evangelization and advancement of peoples, particularly the young and of needy youngsters.