By Dylan Kossin
Photo Courtesy Maryanne Gorogo, Steven Sitapai and Gilbert Charles

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 2 November 2019 -- In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of ADMA the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Port Moresby held a whole day Encounter for ADMA members on November 2, 2019. The event was organised by Fr. Joseph Tinh, SDB, Provincial Delegate for ADMA, withthe assistance of the 300 Youth for Mary, the local ADMA youth group.

The event, which saw the presence of over 165 participants, the majority of whom were from Catholic Secondary schools and local parishes, aimed at promoting devotion to Mary Help of Christians as well as fostering awareness about ADMA, whose aim is to spread devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the Eucharist and to Mary under the title “Help of Christians”

The event opened with a welcome address by Fr. Dominic Kachira SDB, Vice-Superior, encouraging the members to spread devotion to Mary.

Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, the Catholic Bishop Conference Secretary for Communications and Youth gave the keynote address on “Mary Help of Christians in the Life of the Faithful”. It was an interactive session with the audience which helped them to deepen their knowledge with insightful information about Mary. He stressed three main points, Mary the dream, Mary the Mother and Mary the Spouse.

At the second session Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SDB, Superior of the Vice-Province, presented the historical background about the title “Help of Christians” and most importantly about the aims of ADMA. This was followed by a question and answer session with the audience which concluded with an invitation to promote the devotion to Don Bosco’s Madonna.

In the afternoon groups of young people presented music and dance items which was interspersed with the testimonies of Ms. Jesse Hosho former leader.of the 300 Youth for Mary and of Sr. Carmencita Rodriguez, FMA. The event concluded with a charismatic and meditative prayer session with possibility to approach priests for confession.

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