3rd ADMA Congress

East Timor. From November 18 to 20, 2022, the 3rd ADMA Congress was held in Fatumaca, in the Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians, on the theme: “As Mary we walk with Jesus.” 335 ADMA members were present at the Congress, including 102 new candidates who made the Promise during the closing H. Mass.

The Congress began on November 18 with the welcome of the participants, who arrived in Fatumaca together with their spiritual animators, priests and FMA. The greeting of the national ADMA Delegate followed, who encouraged them to renew their commitment with greater awareness of their own belonging to the Association.

After a video greeting message, translated into Tetum, by Sr. Lucrecia Uribe, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, ADMA World Delegate, Sr. Esmeralda Soares, FMA, presented the Strenna 2023 of the Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, “LIKE YEAST IN THE HUMAN FAMILY TODAY. The lay dimension of the Family of Don Bosco”. Sister Esmeralda recalled that each one receives a call that, like a seed, must bear fruit, so that we mutually complete each other as a single family.

On the second day, Don Apolinario Maria Neto, SDB, presented the Salesian Family Identity Charter, exhorting to cultivate the desire to be part of this family with three commitments: Unity, Participation, Sense of Belonging, whose foundation is love. of God and love for neighbor.

The Provincial of the East Timor Province, Don Anacleto Pires, SDB, presented the identity and mission of ADMA, based on two questions – What is the ADMA association? What does it mean to participate in it?-, deepening the issues related to: the Salesian Family; the laity in the Church; the proposal of training itineraries; sanctification and the Salesian apostolate; walking with Maria to defend himself from her; to form and bear witness to one’s own Catholic faith; ADMA spirituality and the commitment to keep alive the devotion to Mary, the help of Christians and the love of the Eucharist.

The Congress concluded with the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Don Anacleto Pires, along with three concelebrants, Don Andre Callejas, SDB, Don Manuel Ximenes, ADMA National Delegate, and Don Isaías, spiritual animator of ADMA Fatumaca. After the homily, the new national councilors – the President, Mr. Joao Bito, the Vice-President, Mrs. Maria Lourdes de Sousa Ximenes, the treasurer and the secretary – confirmed their own commitment, renewing their promise in front of the altar, and received the blessing of the celebrants.

102 new ADMA members then made their pledge, each receiving the ADMA medal and regulation.

After the final blessing, the Provincial of the Province S. Maria D. Mazzarello (TIN), Sister Alma Castagna, greeted the participants and wished them to be committed and authentic members of ADMA, assuming this lifestyle of family, in the workplace, in the Church, through good relations with everyone and coherently living their own commitments, love for the Eucharist and Marian spirituality, uniting life and apostolate.