10th Congress of Mary Help of Christians 2028 in the Philippines

Turin (Italy). On 18 January 2026, in the context of the Conclusion of the 44^th edition of the Salesian Family Spirituality Days, the President of the ADMA Primary Association, Mr. Giuseppe Tufano, together with Father Luis Eugenio Vargas, Salesian of Don Bosco – the new World Spiritual Animator of ADMA – and Ms. Maria Junifer Maliglig, President of ADMA Philippines, announced the date of the X International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, which will be held in Manila, Philippines, from 9 to 12 February 2028, for the first time on the Asian continent.

The International Congresses of Mary Help of Christians, promoted by the Salesian Family, are held periodically every four years in various parts of the world, to deepen the Eucharistic and Marian devotion of Don Bosco’s spirituality, and to promote the Salesian charism.

These events are open to the participation of all 32 Groups of the Salesian Family and are organized by the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) in virtue of its specific and charismatic task of safeguarding and promoting the Marian and Eucharistic heritage of Saint John Bosco, which characterized and strongly influenced his entire spirituality and pastoral and educational work. According to the words of the World President himself, “it will be a moment to experience the ecclesial devotion, characteristic of Salesian spirituality, where the Mother is always a sure support.”

The devotion to Mary Help of Christians was understood and promoted by Don Bosco from the perspective of helping and defending the faith among the people of God. The Saint did not leave the devotion to Mary solely to spontaneous devotion, but wanted the devotees to unite through an association.

The first Congress was convened in Turin in 1988 by his 7^th successor, Fr. Egidio Viganò, to celebrate the first centenary of Don Bosco’s death. To date, the following International Congresses have been held:

1988 – I Congress at Turin (Italy)

1995 – II Congress at Cochabamba (Bolivia)

1999 – III Congress at Seville (Spain)

2003 – IV Congress at Turin (Italy) on the occasion of the centenary of the coronation of the miraculous painting in the Basilica

2007 – V Congress at Mexico City (Mexico)

2011 – VI Congress at Częstochowa (Poland)

2015 – VII Congress at Turin (Italy)

2019 –  VIII  Congress at Buenos Aires (Argentina)

2024 – IX Congresso at Fatima (Portugal)

Ms. Maria Junifer Maliglig has thus officially invited all members of the Salesian Family to Manila in 2028.