WALKING WITH MARY

Rome (Italy). February 14, 2021. The FMA Institute on its way to the 150^th anniversary of the #FMA Institute. CAMINANDO CON MARÍA is the title of the winning hymn of the Competition, organized by the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians for the celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.

The evaluation commission, made up of lay people, young people, and FMA, expresses gratitude for the songs composed with creativity and competence, a sign of responsibility and love for the charism in the FMA Institute. “The songs are all very beautiful. In this one, the theme of Mary is more evident, focusing on the 150^th anniversary of the Foundation of the FMA Institute. The song consists of stanzas in different languages and is very joyful, rhythmic, and youthful.”

Author of the text and composer of the music is Juan JavierBernal García, Salesian Cooperator and Director of the FMA School  of Rota (Cádiz) “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” in Spain. The hymn, inspired by the Jubilee theme “Mary walks with us“, evokes joy and hope, rooted in faith and in the Salesian charism, in the certainty that “Mary is actively present and continues her mission in the FMA Institute as Help of Christians and Mother.”

Juan Javier Bernal García, introduces himself as follows: “I am 44 years old and have been a music teacher for 20 years. I am happily married and the father of two daughters. I was educated as a child in the Salesian environment, linked to Salesian youth ministry, and passionate about music. I have composed many religious and youth songs and I am convinced that music is a great instrument of evangelization.”

A bit of history
On 5 August 2019, from Mother Mazzarello’s bedroom in Mornese, Mother General, Mother Yvonne Reungoat, officially inaugurated the three-year period of preparation for the 150^th anniversary of the Foundation of the FMA Institute (1872-2022).

A day of remembrance and of future, of gratitude and of fidelity that propels the FMA Institute forward with hope. Returning to the evangelical and charismatic sources, to the motivations that give meaning to Salesian life and mission is the goal of the three years of preparation.

The stages of the celebration of the 150^th  anniversary
A three-year period of praise, of thanksgiving, of new educational and vocational vitality, which will be intertwined with the event of GCXXIV according to a thematic layout illumined by the words of Mother Mazzarello:

– 2019-2020 Give thanks: “Let us really thank the Lord who gives us so many graces” (L 37,10)

– 2020-2021 Receive the mandate: “I entrust them to you”

– 2021-2022 Designing the future boldly: “Courage! Let us go forward with a big and generous heart” (L 47,12).

“Mary walks in this house” (cf. Cronistoria V, 51-52), these are the words that the Founder Don Bosco addressed to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in his last encounter in Nizza Monferrato in 1885. The ‘house’ is the world, where the educational mission entrusted to the whole FMA Institute takes place. Mary Help of Christians is present everywhere as a guide and inspiration to accompany you to live the generative force of the charism in the contemporaneity (cf. Circular 989).

In Mornese, Mary guided the young Mary Domenica Mazzarello towards a new horizon of mission: to take care of poor girls with a precise instruction: “I entrust them to you”.

Today as well, Mary supports the Educating Communities in their commitment to educate young people and to help them find the most appropriate ways to be with them and for them “sign and expression” of God’s foreseeing love.

Text: WALKING WITH MARY