(ANS - Rome) – There are only a few days to go before the Seventh International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, one of the great events of the Salesian Family - organized by the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) - to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. Work will begin next Thursday 6 August and will continue in Turin and Colle Don Bosco until the following Sunday. Over a thousand members have enrolled, from different countries of the world.

The conference has as its motto the phrase "Hic domus mea, inde gloria mea - From the house of Mary to our homes".  It aims to show the maternal presence of Mary, Mother of the Church and Help of Christians by living as part of a family.

The events can be followed through social networks of the association such as Facebook, Twitter and the multimedia channels of YouTube and Flickr. Note especially the live streaming of the event which will be available on the full official YouTube channel.

The detailed program of events includes:

Thursday 6 August (Turin - PalaRuffini)

5.00 p.m. - Opening Day, with the participation of the Cosi ballet which will perform "The Wedding at Cana". This will be followed by the traditional Salesian Goodnight given by the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime. 

Friday 7 August (Turin - PalaRuffini)

9.00 a.m. - Eucharist for the family. Archbishop Nosiglia of Turin will preside.  

This will be followed by a Biblical lecture by Fr Patrick Rota Scalabrini and the testimony of the children of the Venerable Attilio Giordani, husband and father. The session will conclude with some life experiences.

In the afternoon there will be Eucharistic adoration, followed by a paper on pedagogy by Sister Piera Ruffinatto, FMA, and some sharing of life experiences. The day will end with the Goodnight by Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the FMA.

Saturday 8 August (Palaruffini and Valdocco)

After Moring Prayer from the Office of Our lady there will be a theological lecture by Fr Roberto Carelli, SDB. This will be followed by a presentation by Dr Maria Ludovica Zanet of the profiles of some wounded families in the history of Salesian holiness. The morning will close with a meditated Rosary led by the families of ADMA.

In the late afternoon, at Valdocco, in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the Rector Major will preside at the solemn Eucharist.

Sunday 9 August (At Colle Don Bosco)

The meeting at Colle Don Bosco is scheduled for the last day. After prayer as a tribute to Don Bosco, animated by the ADMA youth, there will be the closing address of the Rector Major, followed by a solemn Eucharistic celebration in honour of Don Bosco.

According to the organizers, "Don Bosco still has much to say to the family today. His story, his educational system and spirituality are based on the family spirit of Valdocco which was born and grew under the protection of Mary. The theme of this Congress is in particular harmony with the present day Church which has dedicated two synods to the theme of the family, about which Pope Francis has often spoken in his catechesis".

Published 03/08/2015