(ANS – Rome) – Among the particular initiatives for the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco will be the VII International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, promoted by the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) and aimed at the whole Salesian Family, which will be held at Turin-Valdocco/Colle Don Bosco between 6 and 9 August 2015. The Motto of the Congress is: “Hic domus mea, inde gloria mea. From Mary’s house to our houses: Her mercy from generation to generation.”

“From her house Mary Help of Christians and Mother of the Church wants to draw the attention of the Church and of the Salesian Family to new depths and towards wider horizons. For too long the work of building love in the family has been replaced by  emergency issues,” Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, Ecclesiastical Assistent and Coordinator of ADMA has said.

The Pope too recognises the great relevance of paying new attention to the subject, by calling the Church to a Synod and asking for thoughtful reflection and love. The Pope has clearly said that “The Synod will be on the family: its riches and its problems.” The situation of men and women who love each other and are bringing up their children, struggling every day with the stresses and the failings of their ties of love.

In harmony with the Church, the Salesian Family too gives special attention to the family the normal subject of education and the first place for evangelisation. “Home” and “family” are two words often used by Don Bosco to describe the “spirit of Valdocco” which ought to shine out in all Salesian communities and centres.

To help communion in the Salesian Family grow and for the success of the Congress, the Association of Mary Help of Christians suggests two practical ways of taking part in the preparations for the occasion:

• Competition for the choice of the Logo for the Congress: all groups of the  Salesian Family are invited to suggest an official logo for the Congress, based on the motto and on the themes of the Congress. The choice of colours of course is free, but the use of white and blue ought to be significant. Suggestions should arrive by 15 August 2014 at adma@admadonbosco.org
• Life experiences: during the Congress there will be an opportunity for the presentation of life experiences connected with the Family and aspects of the different generations  They can take one of two forms: short films (3-5 minutes) or the offering of personal experiences. Groups of the Salesian Family are invited to send in experiences they consider significant to adma@admadonbosco.org with an outline of the contents or a video by 30 October 2014. Those selected then need to be ready for translation by 31 December 2014.

Published 03/07/2014