(ANS - Rome) – There is a month to go to the Seventh International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, a central event of the Salesian Family to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. The programme has already been drawn up. We want these days to be a powerful experience of the Holy Spirit with the maternal guidance of Mary Help of Christians, and to help families in their work of Christian education in the light of the charism of Don Bosco.

Thursday 6 August 2015 (Turin - PalaRuffini)

5.00 p.m. - Festive opening, after which the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, will offer a thought for the traditional Salesian “Good Night".

Friday 7 August 2015 (Turin - PalaRuffini)

9.00 a.m. - Eucharist for the family, presided over by Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia of Turin.

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

In the afternoon, after a period of Adoration, there will be a Paper on Pedagogy by Sister Piera Ruffinatto, FMA.

This in turn will be followed by a further sharing of life experiences and the day will end with the “Good Night" by Mother Yvonne Reungoat, Superior General of the FMA.

Saturday 8 August 2015 (Palaruffini and Valdocco)

After Morning Prayer of Our Lady there will be a Theological Paper by Fr Roberto Carelli, SDB. This will be followed by the presentation of some profiles of wounded families in the history of Salesian holiness by Doctor Maria Ludovica Zanet. The morning will conclude with a meditated Rosary.

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 2015 (At Colle Don Bosco)

The final day will take place at Colle Don Bosco. After a prayer of homage to Don Bosco, animated by YouthADMA, there will be the closing address of the Rector Major, followed by a solemn Eucharistic celebration in honour of Don Bosco.

Further details on the programme and contents of the Congress can be found on the website www.congressomariaausiliatrice2015.org

Published 07/07/2015