SUGGESTIONS for canonical erection

of the local Association

of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA)

In order to ERECT a local section of the Association of Mary Help of Christians and AGGREGATE IT to the Primary Association at the Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians in Turin-Valdocco

• The ground is prepared by distributing an EXTRACT FROM THE REGULATIONS, available from the Primary Association, so that the spirit of the Association may begin to be known;

• those people “interested” should meet together AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH, if possible on the 24, the day of the monthly commemoration of Mary Help of Christians; these meetings serve to “inform and to form the candidates” in the spirit of the Association;

• with ALL OF THEM there is a process of PERMANENT FORMATION: Christian, Marian and Salesian catechesis; prayer (e.g. the meditated Holy Rosary); celebration of Mass at EVERY MEETING. If it makes it easier it is possible to divide the meeting into two parts: 1° catechesis, 2° prayer and Mass. The continuity and fidelity in attending these meetings is a great help;

• when there is “the right atmosphere” at least in a certain number and AFTER AT LEAST A YEAR OF PREPARATION, they are invited to submit the form asking to be admitted in view of making the promise;

• in the FORM the following information is asked for: SURNAME, NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, CITY OF RESIDENCE, PROFESSION (someone already a PENSIONER should indicate what their work was before), DEGREE OR OTHER EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION, DATE OF THE REQUEST; the forms will be kept in the Archives of the local section;

• ANY BAPTISED PERSON AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE CAN BE ADMITTED; SOMEONE UNDER 18, at the request of the parents for children, or by the personal request for young people or adolescents is considered an ADMA ASPIRANT; a special Aspirants’ CARD AND BADGE are given to them and there is a LIST OF ASPIRANTS with the same details asked of Associates; A YEAR BEFORE TURNING 18 the Aspirant will undertake a year of preparation, and at 18 can be admitted to take the Promise;

• IT IS FOR THE SDB PROVINCIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TERRITORY TO ERECT THE LOCAL ADMA SECTION, which can be erected independently of the first reception of Associates; IMMEDIATELY AGGREGATION TO THE PRIMARY CENTRE AT VALDOCCO, which is INDISPENSABLE for the LOCAL ADMA to belong to THAT FOUNDED BY DON BOSCO SHOULD BE REQUESTED!

• THOSE IN CHARGE OF DIOCESAN CHURCHES OR BELONGING TO RELIGIOUS BODIES should contact the nearest SDB Rector or FMA Superior, or the SDB Provincial in order to ERECT the Association, having obtained the agreement of the Bishop of the diocese where the churches are; the Provincial appoints the Delegate or “Spiritual Director”;

• the PROMISE is made during a liturgical celebration at which a priest appointed by the SDB Provincial or Rector presides and if possible on a Marian feast;

• with the celebration of the PROMISE and the use of the FORMULA the candidate in fact and by right belongs to the ADMA and, consequently to the Salesian Family, assumes with a sense of responsibility the commitments and shares in all the spiritual benefits;

• at the celebration of the Promise THE MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE is presented (they are available in Italian, Spanish, French, English and German), which is the ADMA IDENTITY CARD, together with the REGULATIONS; there can be “other signs”, ESPECIALLY THE BADGE and it is recommended that this be worn always and everywhere.

IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The celebration of the Promise should not be a mere formality, but an IMPORTANT MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF THE ASSOCIATION AND OF THE SALESIAN FAMILY, that encourages a responsible commitment .

2. The DIPLOMA that is sent by the Primary Association for the aggregation SHOULD BE DISPLAYED possibly in the church in which the ADMA Section is erected or in the headquarters of the Section.

3. It is indispensable to have ARCHIVES in which are kept the FORMS with the requests for enrolment, THE ALPHABETICAL LIST of the Associates for every celebration of the Promise, kept up-to-date, A COMPLETE LIST in alphabetical order, the MINUTE BOOK for the meetings of the local Council and of the Associates, the book of accounts, correspondence received and copies of that sent.

4. IT IS NECESSARY TO SEND PROMPTLY TO THE PRIMARY CENTRE IN VALDOCCO THE SINGLE ALPHABETICAL LIST COMPLETE WITH SURNAME, NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, PROFESSION (THERE IS NO NEED to send the address nor telephone number nor the place of residence of the individuals) of ALL THE ASSOCIATES AT EVERY CELEBRATION OF THE TAKING OF THE PROMISE.

5. The LOCAL ARCHIVES require time and a sense of responsibility and on them to a large extent depends the process of ANIMATION, CONNECTION and INFORMATION from the CENTRE!

6. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION FOR ANIMATION, CONNECTION AND INFORMATION for ADMA at world level is the Insert “L’ADMA NEL MONDO” in the “Maria Ausiliatrice” Magazine from the Turin-Valdocco Sanctuary, that comes out 11 times a year: ADMA has 3 pages in each issue. It is also an excellent means of ecclesial and Marian formation!

ADMA online a page for contact and formation produced by the ADMA Primary Section was introduced in October 2007. Put online each 24 of the month, it can be found at the site

http://www.donbosco-torino.it/ita/adma/

ADMA HEADQUARTERS:

Santuario di Maria Ausiliatrice

Via Maria Ausiliatrice 32