(ANS – Częstochowa) – The VI International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, attended by a great number of the Salesian Family from all over the world, concluded on Saturday 6 August.

In the morning, after prayers in the hall, the programme began with a presentation about the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) in the Philippines, dynamic and dedicated to evangelisation and promotion of Marian devotion especially through youth work.

Next the work groups presented the conclusions they had reached on the previous day. Gathered in groups by language or background, the participants had considered three questions: what message should be sent from Częstochowa to the Salesian Family, how should the work and action of local groups be animated and encouraged, and how should the Marian dimension be highlighted during the three years of preparation for the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco.

The discussions had produced a series of suggestions and resolutions, such as paying particular attention to families and young people, confirming the validity of social action and solidarity with the very poor, promoting ADMA among young people, rediscovering simple prayer and Marian devotion, and putting great effort into making the content of the Congress widely known.

Don Pascual Chávez, Rector Major of the Salesians, concluded the morning session with a final address, which ANS will make available tomorrow in a detailed summary.

In the early afternoon groups from parishes run by Salesians and from communities of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians came to the Sanctuary of Jasna Góra to join the participants at the Congress in the concluding Mass at which the Rector Major presided.

The celebration ended with two significant gestures: a period of homage at the monument dedicated to John Paul II, and the entrustment of the Salesian Family to Mary.

The VII International Congress of Mary Help of Christians will be celebrated at Turin and Colle Don Bosco on the occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco in 2015.
 
There is a short video available on ANSchannel with a message from Don Adriano Bregolin, Vicar of the Rector Major and primary animator of the Salesian Family, presenting the nature and purpose of ADMA and the objectives of the Congress at Częstochowa.

Published 8/8/2011