Mary, our hlep, in our path for freedom

Transcription

1 n Associazione di Maria Ausiliatrice Primaria - Torino - Valdocco March 24, 2009 Mary, our hlep, in our path for freedom Pope Benedict XVI in his message for the period of Lent 2009 says: At the beginning of Lent, that constitutes a journey of a more spiritual training, the liturgy suggests to us again three penitential practices very much taken into consideration by the biblical and Christian tradition: prayer, charity, and fasting, in order to prepare us to celebrate Easter in a better way and to experience the power of God that defeats evil, washes up our faults, and restore innocence to sinners, joy to the afflicted, that scatters hatred, bends the hardness of the powerful and promotes brotherhood and peace. This is what we are going to hear at the Easter s vigil. The Lent period is a journey that brings all the Christians and their different communities, to renew during the Pascal vigil the baptismal promises. Our Lady helps us to realize that Lent is a time of denial, of prayer and of penance and helps us in the daily fight against sin, against the seduction of the world, against the assaults and lies of the devil. It repeats to us, as it was done to Saint Bernadette of Lourdes: Go and drink from the fountain, humbly confessing our sins with truth and sorrow. The fact of admitting our faults opens up to the grace that create in us a new heart, that melts our hardships and the refusal to do good. Jesus instituted the sacrament of penance for all the members of the Church, for those who fall into sin and lose the baptismal grace. A sincere confession gives to us the possibility to conversion and the recovery of grace. The sincere confession always leads us to Monthly message a total conversion. Conversion is the change of the whole life, of the all actions and of the all thoughts. Conversion leads us to refuse a life of sin and pinpoint to us to the total opening to God and to His project. The remittance of sins and the redemptive grace come to us in the name of Jesus. Nothing is impossible to God. Man is asked to open up and to recognize the love of God: His chances do not have limits. All the graces are in His power. Those pertaining to this life, the spiritual ones those possible and those impossible. In the name of Jesus, in the light and in the grace of hi pascal mystery, in the fact of being his lovable Son and only Son, we fly high so that we can encounter the true face of God who is a Father who wants all his sons saved. Only in this way the requested grace will get reconciled with the plan that God in His love has prepared for us. While we give priority to His will, with the intention to obey to the law of God, we will attain full happiness. May the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany us, Causa nostrae laetitiae, and May she sustain us in the effort to free our heart from the slavery of sin in order to make it always more as a living tabernacle of God (Benedict XVI message for Lent 2009), keeping our mind, our heart and hands open to the grace of God and to His love for us.. Fr Pier Luigi Cameroni Spiritual Animator ADMA

2 Witness Micheal Magone and his devotion to Most Holy Mary This year we recall the 150 anniversary of Michael Magone, that took place on January This youngster from the Oratory of Valdocco, of whom Don Bosco wrote the life is a successful example and a model of education and of the Salesian sanctity. We present to you the chapter of his life that shows his devotion to Most Holy Mary. We have to say it, the devotion towards our Blessed Virgin is the support of every Christian faithful. But it is in a particular way for the youth. Here it is the way the Holy Spirit talks about Her. Si qui est parvulus, veniat at me. Our Magone came to know this particular truth, and here it is the providential way to which he was invited to. One day a small image of the Blessed Virgin came to him as a gift. At the bottom it was written: Venite, filii, audite me, timorem Domini docebo vos; that is: Come, children, listen to me, I am going to teach you the holy fear of God. He started thinking very seriously about this invitation; then he wrote a letter to his director, in which he was explaining how the Blessed Virgin Mary made Her voice heard, was calling him to be become good and how She herself wanted to teach him the way to fear God, to love Him and to serve Him. He then, started practising some sacrifices that he was doing in honour of her that he started to honour under the title of Heavenly Mother, divine teacher, pious shepherd. These are therefore the main points of his filial devotion that with fervour was always increasing and developing towards Mary. Every Sunday he was receiving the Holy Communion for that soul in purgatory that while on earth was mostly devoted to the Holy Mary. He was willingly forgiving every offense in honour of Mary: Cold, hot weather, disappointments, fatigue, thirst, perspiration and similar difficulties of the different seasons were sacrifices that he was offering with joy to God through the intercession of his celestial Mother. Before starting his lessons, writing in his room or in class, he was pulling out an image of Mary where on one side wri this sentence was written: Virgo parens, studiis simper adesto meis. Virgin Mother always be on my side during my lessons. He was running to her at the beginning of his school activities. He used to say, if I encounter difficulties in my studies, I run to my Divine Mother and Teacher and she explains to me everything. One day a friend of his was congratulating with him for his Italian composition in the Italian Language. You should not praise me, he answered, but Mary that helped me because She put in my mind so many things that alone I could never think off. In order to make use of any object that could remind her of the protection of Mary in his ordinary activities, he was used to write when possible: Sedes Sapientiae, ora pro me. Oh,Mary, seat of wisdom, pray for me. Therefore on all his books, on the covers of his copybooks, on the table, on his seat, and on every possible corner where he could write with is pen or pencil, one could read: Sedes Sapientiae. Ora pro me. In the month of May of that year 1858, he decided to do what he could in order to honour Mary. In that month he was mortifying his eyes, his tongue and all the other senses. He wanted as well to do without his recreation time, to do fasting, to pass part of the night in prayer, but these practices were forbidden to him due to the fact that they were not suited for his age. At the end of the month he came to his rector and he told him: If you are happy I am going to do something nice in honour of 2

3 the,great Mother of God. I know that that Saint Louis Gonzaga was so much liked by Mary because since his childhood he consecrated to her the virtue of his chastity. I too, would like to do this gift and therefore I desire to make a promise to become a priest and to keep chastity forever. The rector told him that it was not yet the time to do such promises of such great importance. But he interrupted, I feel a great desire to dedicate completely to Mary and if I give myself to her, certainly She will help me to fulfil my promise. Ok, the rector said, do it this way, instead of a vow just make a simple promise to embrace one day the ecclesiastical way of life, till when at the end of your year of secondary studies clear signs for your call will appear. Instead of the vow of chastity, make only a simple promise to the Lord to be able for the future to refrain from doing, saying anything contrary to such a virtue. Invoke every day May with a special prayer so that She may help you to keep this promise. He was so happy about that proposal and with a cheerful soul he promised to do what he could in order to fulfil it 18 aprile aprile di fondazione della Associazione di Maria Ausiliatrice 18 de abril de abril de 2009: 140 años de fundación de la Asociación de María Auxiliadora April April 2009: 140 years of foundation of the Association of Mary Help of Christians 18 abril abril 2009: 140 anos de fundação da Associação de Maria Auxiliadora 18 avril avril 2009: 140 ans de fondation de l'association de Marie Auxiliatrice Italian: French: Spanish: Portuguese English The paper can be read at the following site: For every comunication you can contact the following adress: pcameroni@salesiani.it SPECIAL INTENTIONS FOR THE APOSTOLATE OF PRAYER APRIL 2009 General: So that the Lord may bless the work of the farmers with a rich harvest and may touch the feelings of the rich nations to the drama of the problem of hunger in the world. Missionary: So that the Christians, that work in the territories in which more tragic are the conditions of the poor, the weak, of the women and of the children. may become a sign of hope, thanks to their courageous testimony to the Gospel and the solidarity and love. For the bishops: So that the awareness of the witnessing of the Risen Lord may grow in us at the same time as the gift and responsibility of the Christian, to be accepted and lived every day. Marian: So that the Virgin who accompanies the faithful to follow his Son in His Passion and Death, may open to them the door of his glorious Resurrection. 3

4 Sparkling of lights During our encounter with the various groups of the Salesian Family, in order to know they live the presence of Mary, is the time to call on the Association of the Salesian Cooperators (see The answer comes from. ROSARIO MAIORANO the General Coordinator. 1. How does Mary help you in the journey of your association? In the journey of our Association Mary Help of Christians represents for us a focal point: in the same manner as She was for Don Bosco, She is the loving Mother that shows to us the Way, and to whom we can always turn during the moments of trials. 2. How is Mary depicted in your Rule of life? In our Rule of live (Project of apostolic life) of the Salesian Cooperators Mary is shown and lived as the true cooperator of God in as much as She took part in the redemption of the World with her Yes to the announcement brought by Gabriel, assuring them with a constant presence in the life of her Son and of the sons represented by us in the Church of God. 3:What is the role of Mary Help of Christians in your vocational history? In my vocational life Mary covered from the very beginning a simple role because She was following me from far away and almost She never made Her presence felt; but with the passing of the years I was the one looking for her with greater insistence till when I reached the moment it was impossible for me to do without her constant presence that I nourish with a personal and continuous dialogue, much more than with the classic devotional forms, which eventually are not appreciated by Her. ADMAonline ANSWERS Thanks for the news about the new ADMA on-line of the month of February. I am happy with this collaboration between ADMA and FMA and of the way of approach: on the educative point of view. With regards. (Sr. Yvonne Reungoat FMA Mother General) THANKS GREAT WAS FMA MOTHER GENERAL! (Ada) Thank you for reawakening and deepen the knowledge and the love to Mary! Pray for us, thank you! (Sr. Piera Cavaglià). Thanks for mailing us every month the ADMAonline news. (Adolphe) THANKS for the mailing of February ADMAonline.Lany greetings from all the ADMA of ARO (Argentina- Rosario). In don Bosco, P: Joacquin Lopez, sdb. Thanks for the Spanish edition. I am going to mail it at once tonight to Fr. Josè Correa, who is the in charge of the ADMA in Uruguay. May the Virgin accompany your steps ( P. Daniel Sturla SDB Provincial). I am grateful for reminding me of the bulletin Spanish edition. I will see it will be made known and used by the members of the ADMA located in Central America. It is a valid instrument for the formation and Marian spirituality. (Alejandro Hernandez, provincial delegate of the Salesian Family of Central America) 4

5 Cronaca di famiglia ADMA PRESENTATION During these months we had different occasions to introduce ADMA in the work of the Salesian Family: Sunday January 17 in AVIGNANA (Torino) we presented Adma to a group of 6o young couples animated by Fr. Roberto Carelli; Sunday February 8, we presented ADMA to the group related to Fr. Silvio Galli located in the Salesian House of Chiari (Brescia); Tuesday February 10 to the 64 directress of the FMA Piemonte upon the invitation of their Provincial Sr. Corna Celestina, of the Vicar Sr. Franco Giuseppina and the formation in-charge Sr. Franca Ridella. Sunday February 21 and Saturday March 7 the animator Fr. Pier Luigi Cameroni takes part in the Provincial Consultation of the Salesian Family of Lombardy (Milan) and Emilia Romagna San Marino (Bologna), introducing the Charter of Communion of the Salesian Family and sharing some animation and coordination lines among the different groups of the Salesian Family. The need of knowing each other in a better way is detected, to propose again at the provincial level the contents of the days of spirituality of the Salesian Family that introduce the yearly strenna, the need of finding ways of coordination between the Youth Pastoral and the knowledge and participation of the young to the various vocations alive in the Salesian Family. Saturday, March 14, to the Salesian community of Ivrea (Torino) upon the invitation of the Rector Fr. Eligio Caprioglio. The President Giuseppina Chiosso and the Councellor Tina Savignano explain the Association, upon the invitation of the delegate the Salesian Coadiutor DallaTorre Silvano. In the same way it is done on March 8 to the Salesian Family of Alessandria upon the invitation of the rector Father Michele Molinar min Becet. It is nice to realize how from these encounters of presentation of ADMA. And of sharing of mutual knowledge among the different groups of the Salesian Family, new initiatives are born combined with concrete activities, as Sr. Giuseppina Franco writes. She is the Vice provincial of FMA of Piedmont and Aosta Valley region: Together with sister Concetta Strada we deemed opportune to continue with a study of simple itinerary in order to actualize our endeavour, for each community, for promoting ADMA in our Educative Communities. We will make a study of it, possibly with our President Giuseppina Chiosso. ADMA Potenza (Italia) On February 28 and March 1, upon the invitation of the Rector Fr. Italo Sammarro and of the salesian Family of Potenza, our animator Fr. Pier Luigi Cameroni met both the Salesian family as well as the ADMA group of this city, that has a tradition of an efficacious Salesian presence. During pastoral year, different initiatives are promoted and shared by different groups and in this occasion it has been asked a communication that introduced the rol of Mary Help of Christians in don Bosco and his educational action. 5

6 ADMA Murska Sabota (Slovenia) Our ADMA group at present is made up of 96 members. This year new aspirants are preparing themselves to enter the Association on May 24 th 2009 in the cathedral of Saint Nicolas in Murska Sabota. As preparation they will undergo a period of spiritual retreat next month with the Salesians of Verzej. After Easter we will start a pilgrimage to Rome. We have celebrated the feast of life in the vicinity of the birthday of Jesus and we thanked for the gift of life given to each of us. We have celebrated the Mass assembled in the Marianun College of the Salesians, we deepen the theme of our youth pastoral following the example of Don Bosco (in the year that the Church of our country dedicates to the youth). We, the, exchanged our greetings, our family news, continuing our staying together happily at table and singing. Sr. Bernarda Gerie FMA- ADMA Delegate). ADMA Toronto (Canada) Our Toronto ADMA group lived a very fruitful and spiritually rich year, both with the participation to the Second Edition of Salesian Family Days, as well with our monthly meetings. Recently, on January 27 we witnessed the arrival of three new members. Elizabeth Albanese, Milka Paun and Anna Petrecca. Fr. Joseph Occhio, SDB continue to be our spiritual director, participating to all our encounters and guiding us in the spiritual formation. We consider a great gift the wealth of experience and knowledge that he imparts on us.. This year our parish institute the Consultation of the Salesian Family, as a response to the indications given by the Rector Major and promoted various initiatives for the different groups. The Salesian Family days are moment of formation, of group activity, of brotherhood and of celebration. Having see the results, as ADMA members we decided to turn them into our recollection days. Besides having considered the positive results from these gatherings, we have decided to open it up to all our parishioners, with the idea as well to make the groups of the Salesian Family known and to foster new memberships. (Margaret Pupulin- Coordinator, Toronto ADMA Canada) ADMA GUACHENE CAUCA (COLUMBIA) - To end up the 2008 activities we had a retreat. The ADMA President of the Saint Peter Claver Province and the Parish Priest Adan Mina accompanied us. It turned out to be a splendid day, rich in personal reflection and Salesian spirituality, concluded with the Eucharistic celebration. Our Center of Guachenè proceeds: during the Christmas Period we allowed to animate the novena in San Jacinto. The members took part and they work together with the youth and the boys. We met again on January 24 wit the idea of programming this semester. As an activity we sold cakes; we have already establish an account and as an assembly we have put it aside for repairing the sacred chalices of our Parish, that carries the name of Mary help of Christians. Our center has become a reality and with God s will on May 24 new members will join us. With joy we read the monthly bulletin of ADMAonline and we make it known to all the members. We are happy to read the news and the articles which turn out to be of a great spiritual value for all ADMA members. A brotherly greeting (Sister Ana Lucia and her members) 6

7 A SALESIAN FATHER, A GREAT LOVER OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS FR. JOAQUIN SAENZ MARTINEZ *Logrono Espana 16/08/ La Paz Bolivia 27/02/2009 Last February 27, the Salesian JOAQUIN SAENZ MARTINEZ was celebrating his Easter. In Bolivia he was a great devotee of Mary Help of Christians. Father Joaquin was born in Logrono (province Rioja-Spain) on August He professed as a salesian on August 16 of 1941 and he was ordained priest on June Qualis vita, finis ita, the death of the just man, the satisfaction of the duty and the accomplished mission, the renewal of Saint Paul s saying: I have fought the good battle, I have finished my race, I have kept my faith. Now I am ready for the crown of justice that the Lord, the right judge, will give me on that day. Serene and conscious up to the last moment, with the full knowledge of walking towards the happy encounter, with the thought fixed on Mary and the serene look of Immaculate Virgin Help of Guadalupe that on the lateral side of his room, was looking down to Father Joaquin. Surrounded and accompanied by his Salesian Confreres, who comforted him with all the spiritual means, passed with full consciousness his last exit., while celebrating the Eucharist as Viaticum and the Anointment of the sick while reciting with deep devotion, for the last time, the prayer of consecration to God through the hands of Mary Help of Christians. His bodily remains were shown in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, surrounded by flowers, prayers, songs, remembrances, tears, a real thanksgiving for the gift of his life and of his witness. The first Eucharist for the reposal of his soul was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio in Bolivia Mons. Giambattista Diquattro, also as a sign of gratitude from the Apostolic Nunciature for the service rendered for over 20 years by Fr. Joaquin as a spiritual director and confessor of some of the Nuncios that passed by during those years. The funeral services were presided by the Archbishop of La Paz and later on the body was transferred to Cochabamba-Fatima-Don Bosco to be deposed in the Salesian garden, as it was wished by Fr. Joaquin. A fine man, amiable, simple, respectful, a priest full of fervour, a zealous man for the life of grace, and untiring confessor, where thousands of penitents came to his confessional box, people from every social class, cultural level and age. He always kept a sound relationship with ADMA Primaria of Turin. Particularly in the person of Fr. Sebastiano Viotti with whom he has a long and fruitful friendship. Among the characteristic aspects of this propaganda of the Marian cult and the diffusion of the devotion to Mary help of Christians we like to remember: Te recognition in the year 2000 of the establishing to a minor Basilica, the Shrine of Mary help of Christians in La Paz. The yearly diffusion of the calendar with the picture of Mary Help of Christians. This calendar is distributed to all houses, to the shops, in all the establishments and this year reached the printing of copies. The organization of the third National Congress of Mary Help of Christians in Cochabamba in The promotion of ADMA groups in all the Salesian houses of Bolivia. 7

8 The birth of Youth ADMA in various Salesian works, till the realization of the First Congress of Youth ADMA in Cochamba in the month of June The publishing of a circular letter for the devotees of Mary Help of Christians. The presiding council and the all AMAS Primaria of Turin-Valdocco, wishes to join this moment of appreciation to Jesus and to Mary for the witnessing of faith and apostolic endeavour and priestly ministry of this great Salesian. We recognize in this worthy son of Don Bosco one of the major apostles of this role and of the mission of Mary Help of Christians in the life of the Church and of the Salesian Family. Let us accompany with a special prayer of entrustment to God, our father, through the hands of Mary and the intercession of Don Bosco, this dear brother of ours, friend and generous collaborator on the vineyard of the Lord. Let us assure a special Eucharist of suffrage in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin next March 24. a day in which commemorate Mary Hel of Christians AVE, MARIA HELP OF CHRISTIANS! The second booklet of Mary Help of Christians The first part of the book offers us moments of prayer, taking into special value the initiative, sponsored by Benedict XVI of a chain of prayer for China just on the memory of Mary Help of Christians; the commentary to the Holy Rosary is suggested following the apostolic invitation of Paul VI Marialis Cultus. The second portion presents to us a series of catechesis having Mary as a background underlying the maternal action of Mary helping us to grow in the Christian life. In the third part the great devotion to Mary Help of Christians is shown as done by Don Bosco. Besides several experiences of life are presented that show Mary in different manners, in the way She is present and works in the life of people. As appendix a presentation of ADMA, as the second group of the Salesian life as founded by Don Bosco. La redazione e l ADMA primaria augurano a tutti Buona Pasqua 8