The Congress, promoted by the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), is an event involving the whole Salesian Family. It is expected that over a thousand people from about 40 countries will be taking part.
“The grace of being able to celebrate the Congress at Częstochowa the sanctuary of the Black Madonna, a place rich in faith, history and spirituality, should be a strong motive to renew at the school of Mary our commitment to being genuine disciples and passionate apostles in bringing the Gospel to the young” says Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator for the Salesian Family and World Spiritual Director of ADMA.
The Congress will have as its motto the words Blessed John Paul II, with a great devotion to Mary and to Częstochowa, chose for his pontificate: “Totus tuus”. Fr Cameroni explains: “The motto of the Congress, while it puts before us the holiness and the great Marian devotion of Blessed John Paul II, also expresses our entrustment as loving children to Mary Help of Christians so that with her we may walk in faith defending the great values of life, of the family and of education.”
According to the programme, which is available on the ADMA site, there will be a series of biblical, theological and historical talks; the presentation of some personal experiences and also the witness of the lives of some of the saints of the Salesian Family and of John Paul II himself by Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, archbishop of Krakow. It is also expected that the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Pascual Chávez, and the Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Yvonne Reungoat will be present and will speak.
The official languages of the Congress are Italian, English, Spanish and Polish. As the Congress unfolds, the ADMA site will publish the texts of the talks. It will also be possible to follow the Congress live in streaming on missionidonbosco.tv.
The V Congress of Mary Help of Christians was held in the National Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians in Mexico City between 17 and 20 August 2007.
Published 11/07/2011
