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5317(II)_With Mary, walking the faith

Story of ADMA foundation in one Salesian Parish

February 15, 2020

By Parish of Trai Gao, Thai Binh Vietnam

North Vietnam Delegation, Parish of Trai Gao, Thai Binh Vietnam, 15 February 2020 -- Last 2018 a new ADMA group was born in Trai Gao, one of the Salesian Parishes in the northern part of Vietnam. The ADMA group members share in their simple report about their life, mission and formation:

"Given the previous isolation of Vietnam from the rest of the Salesian world and very strong Marian devotion (Our Lady of La Vang) in the country expressed in many parish Marian groups (Legion of Mary etc), the ADMA (Association of Mary Help of Christians) took off only very recently.

A few years ago, probably the first ADMA group was started by a FMA sister in the central part of Vietnam, but there had been no recent news at all. Since 2018 our Salesian parish of Trai Gao (Thai Binh diocese, bishop Peter Nguen Van De, SDB) started the formation of the first ADMA group within our SDB parishes.

Last May 2018 our parish priest of Trại Gạo, Fr John Baptist Trần Văn Hào SDB assisted by the FMA Sisters based in our parish was able to start formation of the first ADMA group. Today we number some 104 registered members and among us are some 40 members who participate frequently in all activities.

What are the ADMA activities in Trai Gao? Every day after evening Mass there is a Rosary followed by the Goodnight; every month there is Novena in honour of Mary Help of Christians and Eucharistic Adoration. Every month of May there is a special ‘Flower offering feast’ at the end of the month. The members attend a retreat twice a year, and there is an apostolate of fundraising for the poor (Advent and Lenten season).

As their apostolate the ADMA members contribute to families in need within and outside of the parish while some contribute as volunteers to the FMA kindergarten and to the feasts organized by the parish community.

As regards formation, there is an annual renewal course. This year 2020 is focused on the education of own children according the Preventive System of Don Bosco as well sharing of the Rector Major’s Strenna.

Although our ADMA group is still very young, we hope to growth in our faith, spreading the devotion to Mary Help of Christians in many practical ways. And we are also looking for good inspiration from other ADMA members in nearby EAO countries.