Calcutta (India). On 24 August 2024, at the headquarters of the Mary Help of Christians Province (INC) in Calcutta Dum Dum, the first ADMA DAY was celebrated to honor Mary Help of Christians, patron of the Salesian Family, on the monthly commemoration, and to promote the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA)among the faithful.
The day began with the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Joseph Manipadam, Salesian of Don Bosco, National Delegate of the Salesian Family. During the celebration, through the welcoming ritual and after the homily, 20 new members from Auxilium Ranchi, Auxilium Barasat, and Auxilium Dum Dum made their promise, becoming part of the ADMA family. The Delegates welcomed them with a wreath of flowers and the Provincial, Sister Leelamma Palliparambil, handed them the ADMA kit.
After a break, the cultural program began with an introduction and a warm welcome to Fr. Joseph Manipadam, the Provincial and all the delegates of the various ADMA groups. Sister Stella Davis, Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family and ADMA, presented a report on the activities carried out by the four groups of ADMA (Ranchi, Gobra, Barasat, and Dum Dum).
The theme of this first ADMA day was Don Bosco’s Dream at nine years of age, in the year of its Bicentenary, for which each group presented a performance on the Dream, while the theme of the cultural program was “A dream that makes us dream”.
In his message, Fr. Joseph Manipadam stressed the significance of ADMA and the role of Mary in Salesian spirituality. The interactive dynamic, in the form of a quiz on the message, helped members deepen their devotion to Mary Help of Christians and renew their commitment to the mission and values of the Association.
In the afternoon, ADMA members of Mazzarello Ranchi and Auxilium Dum Dum went on pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Bandel. The FMA and the participants prayed the rosary inside the church and, despite the incessant rain, visited the terrace where the miraculous statue of Our Lady is kept. The purpose of the visit was to deepen devotion to Our Lady and to promote spiritual growth through pilgrimage and prayer.
Nisha Barui, Dum Dum ADMA member, shared her experience saying, “The ADMA day, celebrated on the 24th, gave us a golden opportunity to renew our love and trust in Mary. We relived the dream of Don Bosco through the representations offered by the groups.”
Another participant said, “The ADMA celebration was an extraordinary experience. It was a joy to see so many devotees of Mary gather under her mantle to make her known and loved.”
New member Shirely Gomes expressed her joy, “The celebration of ADMA day as a new member was a wonderful family experience. I was able to know what Mary and Jesus wanted through the dream of Don Bosco.”
The celebration of ADMA DAY, organized by Sister Stella Davis, was an event full of spirit, which nourished the devotion and commitment of the Salesian Family to Mary Help of Christians.
The 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, just concluded in Fatima, Portugal, the General Councilor for the Salesian Family, Sister Leslie Sándigo, expressed the invitation to multiply ADMA groups in the FMA realities, to spread love for Mary Help of Christians.
