By Maria Junifer L. Maliglig

Paranaque City, the Philippines -- On 26 October 2019, the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) – Philippines, celebrated its 37th National Convention with the theme: “ADMA, Accompanying the Young to Jesus, through Mary”. It was held at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Paranaque City and attended by around 250 ADMA members from the following districts, namely: Metro Manila, Pasay City, Laguna, Pampanga and Pangasinan, and Marinduque. There were also delegates from the Philippines – South Province (FIS) particularly from Victorias, Negros Occidental and Pasil, Cebu City. The FMA Delegate, Sr. Nayda Alcaraz FMA was also present.

The convention started with a welcome remarks from the Parish Priest of Mary Help of Christians, Fr. Ernie Cruz, SDB and followed by the welcome of ADMA members from different chapters in the Philippines. Fr. Elmer Sicat SDB, the Spiritual Animator of ADMA Philippine North Province (FIN) led in the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and praying of the holy rosary. After which, the Holy Mass was celebrated with Fr. Sicat as the main Presider and concelebrated by Fr. Emil Santos SDB and Fr. Lamberto Paradiang, SDB.

To know and appreciate more the young, and to deepen the theme of the convention, the organizers of this convention invited Ms Lesley Anne Rosal as guest speaker. Ms. Rosal is a youth minister and professor/lecturer in various universities and seminaries in the country.

The schedule in the afternoon was highlighted by various presentations from ADMA members from the different chapters. Copies of the devotional booklets of prayer and stampitas of Mary Help of Christians were given to all the members and chapters as their personal copies and to be distributed for spreading the devotion to our Mother, Mary Help of Christians. Also, copies of the St. John Bosco Today, the magazine of the Salesian Family in the Philippines were distributed to all participants. The magazine features the ADMA, especially on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the association. The ADMA, the second group founded by St. John Bosco was recognized and canonically established at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, Italy on 18 April 1869.

After the closing prayer and the blessing of Mary Help of Christians, the convention ended full of joy, blessings and camaraderie, challenging the ADMA members to continue accompanying the young to Jesus, through Mary.

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