ADMA :
       ASSOCIATION MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS

    Via Maria Ausiliatrice 32 - 10152 Torino-Valdocco, Italy / E-Mail: pcameroni@salesiani.it  - ADMA Valdocco: adma.torino@tiscali.it  

MAIN AIM:

 1  "To encourage the worship of the Blessed Sacrament and the devotion to Mary Help of Christians" (Don Bosco, Association of the Devotees of Mary Help of Christians, San Benigno can. 1890, page 33).

2 "Don Bosco established the Association of Mary Help of Christians connecting it with commitments easily fulfilled by most common people, to the spirituality and the mission of the Salesian Congregation" (CG 24 SDB, 1996, NR. 80).

3 "It offers a way of santification and of apostolate" ((Memorie Biografiche vol.7, 334) secondo il carisma di Don Bosco (Memorie Biografiche 7,334 e Reg. 2).

FOUDATION AND HISTORY:

The Young Shepherdess' shows in a dream to Giovannino, who is nine years old, the people and the ways of his future mission (MB 1,123 and following).

In 1844 he dreams about the lambs that will follow him till the destination of the journey: a courtyard, a church, many lambs that change into shepherds, a second wonderful and high church with the words: "HERE IS MY HOUSE, FROM HERE MY GLORY" . To the questions don Bosco asks, the young Shepherdess answers:"When you see… you will understand" (MB 1,243). In 1845 in a dream he sees many young people, a small church, a much bigger one..and the Young Shepherdess who steps on the ground and says: In this place where Avventor and Solutor suffered martyrdom… 

On April 5, 1846 Don Bosco recognised the Pinardi House which he had seen several times in his dreams and understands (MB 2,245).

From that day to June 9,1868 the day on which the Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians was consacrated, Don Bosco sees his dreams come true and once the 'House' is built, here come the pilgrims. Don Bosco entrusts to them the spreading of the glory of Mary Help of Christians in the world with the Association (Don Rua, June 23, 1909).He obtains the erection of the Association from the Archbishop of Turin, A. Riccardi, on April 18, 1869.

Pope Pius IX on April 5, 1870 raises it to Archconfraternity with the right to aggregate the Associations having the same name and regulations in the Archdiocese of Turin.

In 1876 Don Bosco creates the Salesian Cooperators with a stronger salesian commitment but on march 2,1877 he obtains the right to aggregate the Associations of the entire Piedmont.

In 1889 Leo XIII authorises Don Rua to ERECT AND to AGGREGATE the Associations in the Salesian Churches and in 1894 also in the Salesian Houses over the world; in 1896 he can aggregate the ones of the diocesan churches.

On july 5, 1989 the Rector Major , Father Egidio Viganò, acknowledges the fact that the ADMA belongs to the Salesian Family since it comes from its original source and stresses the importance of the Sanctuary at Torino-Valdocco. (Letter written by Father E. Viganò to the members on July 24, 1989).

REGULATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION

               

Introduction

Moved by the Holy Spirit and responding to the needs and signals of the time, Don Bosco gave life to various apostolic missions and a vast movement of people who, in different ways, work to help theyoung and working class.

 The Association of Mary Help of Christians was founded as a privileged instrument to "promote the veneration of the Most Holy Sacrament and Mary Help of Christians.

It was canonically founded in the Sanctuary of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, 18th April, 1869 and was "by him considered almost an integral part of the Salesian society".

It was rapidly promoted to archconfraternity by Pius IX, 5th April, 1870, with the right to unite the associations throughout the world with the same name and aim.

Finally, 24th July, 1989, "the Rector Major with his council, officially recognised the Association of Mary Help of Christians' belonging to the Salesian Family."

THE NEW 'MARY THE HELPER ASSOCIATION' / ADMA

Foundation of the Association

Don Bosco built the Help of Christians votive Shrine (Torino-Valdocco 1868) as the Virgin Mary had asked him in a dream. A year later he founded the Archconfraternity Brotherhood of Mary Help of Christians within the Basilica (18th April, 1869), in order to spread the devotion to the Virgin as evoked by the name itself.

The Mary Help of Christians Sanctuary, the centre from which the mission is spread all through the world, was for Don Bosco the cohesive centre of all his institutions, a source of grace and a sanctuary for the world.

The Association, with its devotion to Mary Help of Christians, is one of the most effective examples of promoting faith within the working class. This motherly and working presence of Mary lays at the foundation of the association and is the inspiration for all those who work for God's Kingdom.

"When times are difficult all Christians should stick together. Being near well-doing people makes us stronger without even realising it."

Experience "makes us realise how Mary in heaven has carried on, even more successfully, her mission as Mother of the Church and Helper of Christians that she began on earth".  

                  

Nature and aim of the Association

The Mary the Helper Association is a meeting place for the believers who take part in its work. In accordance with Don Bosco's charisma, it offers a journey of sanctification and apostleship.

In particular it gives importance to the worship of Holy Jesus and Mary help of Christians, in all its forms, both public and private as long as they are recognised by the Church.

Within the church it is a public association of believers who share its inspiration and activities; it operates in accordance with the Priests and other ecclesiastical groups, in particular with the Salesians.

It has its own legal status as ruled by the church's Jurisprudence.

According to the legislation of each individual country, it can obtain civil legal recognition, but it is not associated with any political party, nor money making group.

The name of the group is ADMA "Association Mary Help of Christians",
with its Head Office in Torino-Valdocco, at the Mary Help of Christians Basilica,

UFFICIO ADMA/ Via Maria Ausiliatrice  32
I - 10152  TORINO-VALDOCCO / ITALY
TEL. 00.39.011.52.24.216   /  FAX  00.39.011.52.24.213
 E-MAIL: D. Pier Luigi CAMERONI:  pcameroni@salesiani.it
 Head Office in Torino-Valdocco:   adma.torino@tiscali.it

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