ADMA members celebrate the 24th in Timor Leste

By Fr. Manuel Ximenes da Silva, SDB
National Spiritual Guide ADMA

Dili, Timor Leste, 24 April 2018 -- Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) is among the best animated and well organized Salesian Family Groups in Timor Leste. More than 2000 members present in all six parishes and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Fatumaca are the soul of monthly celebrations on 24th. Although 24th is usually an ordinary weekday, like in Quelicai, all Catholic school students come together for the well animated Eucharistic celebration.

The prodigious growth of Catholic Church and Salesian vocation has a deep Marian roots, also Fr. Cameroni, the Central Spiritual Animator of ADMA (2015) or the Rector Major during his recent visit (2018, February) could confirm this from personal experience.

DMA members are active in their own mission station or parish liturgy animation, in family visit of the statue of Mary (door to door), in ministry to the poor people and their teacher members are among the most active catechesists or YM animators. Each ADMA center is trying to rejuvenate and increase the membership and also the regular pilgrimage to the National Shrine of MHC in Fatumaca is well prepared.

We wish many EAO provinces (still 10/23 EAO countries without ADMA) to experience this simple, but deep and inspiring experience of celebrating the 24th of the month - the family celebration of Mary Help of Christian: "Through the motherly intervention of Mary, the Holy Spirit raised up St. John Bosco to contribute to the salvation of youth..." (SDB Constitutions art. 1). The solemn blessing of Mary Help of Christians is a firm part of this day.

BLESSING OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS (by St. John Bosco)

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord,

A: Who has made heaven and earth.

Hail Mary...

We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God,

despise not our petitions in our necessities,

but deliver us always from all dangers,

O glorious and blessed Virgin.

P: Mary, Help of Christians.

A: Pray for us.

P: O Lord, hear my prayer.

A: And let my cry come unto you.

P: The Lord be with you.

A: And with your spirit.

P: Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God,

who by the co-operation of the Holy Spirit

did prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother Mary

grant that as we rejoice in her commemoration,

we may by her loving intercession, be delivered from present evils

and from everlasting death. Through Christ our Lord.

A: Amen.

P: May the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and + Holy Spirit, descend on you and remain with you always.

A: Amen.

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