Mary opens our heart

Transcription

1 n th May 2010 Associazione di Maria Ausiliatrice Primaria - Torino - Valdocco Mary opens our heart Monthly message All of us have been struck by the fact that in the space of a few months several natural disasters have occurred. Such events should not worry us purely in terms of news or humanitarian aid and solidarity: they should actually encourage us to read in such events a deeper meaning and encourage us to conversion. These earthquakes which within a few minutes have upset vast geographical areas, bringing with them death and destruction: the volcano which with its ash and smoke has covered vast regions with a cloud of dust, the bottom of the sea from which an immense quantity of black oil contaminates and kills what can all this tell us? I think it should call us to a strong conversion of the heart, from which as Jesus warns us evil originates: It is that which comes out of man that defiles the man, for it is from within, from the heart of man which proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man. (Mc. 7, 21-23). What makes our heart pure? It is the Word of God, when listened to with faith and lived with love. Mary helps us to open our hearts and mobilizes us to open our brothers hearts, through the strength of prayer. She invites us to open our hearts to the grace of the Word and its appeal to prayer and penance. There are many people who have answered this call and many people who are still waiting for such a call. They are, after all, hearts for which Mary (who has a mother s heart), wants to ask for special favours, so that they too may be open to the call to conversion, faith and holiness. Above all let us take up with renewed fervour the reciting of the Holy Rosary individually as well as together with our families. If today many families break up, it is because they do not pray together. As a matter of fact, who is the one who tries to break families up? It is the devil, the enemy, the one who divides, the mischief maker, who instigates us against one another: spouses against each other, children against parents. The reciting of the Holy Rosary is a powerful exorcism because by praying the Holy Rosary, Our Lady comes into our family, protects it and takes up her abode in such a family. By reciting the Rosary as a family, we do a lot of good to ourselves as Our Lady blesses us and intercedes for us. And then, Our Lady presents this Rosary to Jesus, so that He may grant us conversions, and His messages may reach even the most distant hearts. We are helping our Lady to convert people and increase the number of those who answer the call. We want to express all this through the sorrowful prayer which the Holy Father Benedict XVI, addressed to Mary during the reciting of the Regina Coeli, during his pilgrimage to Turin for the display of the Holy Shroud: Protect oh Mary, the families and workers; protect those who have lost their faith and hope, comfort the sick, the convicts and all those who are suffering. Support oh Help of Christians the youth, the elderly and all those who are going through difficult times. Protect, oh Mother of the Church the shepherds and the whole Community of believers, that they may be salt and light in the midst of the world. The Virgin Mary is the one who more than anyone else contemplated God in the human nature of Jesus. She saw him as a new born baby, when, wrapped in a blanket he laid in the manger. She saw him dead, when, taken down from the cross they wrapped him in a cloth and brought him to his sepulchre. The image of her tortured son was impressed upon her, but such image was later transfigured by the light of the Resurrection. So, in Mary s heart is guarded the mystery of Christ s face, a mystery of death and glory. From her we can learn to look at Jesus with a look of love and faith, and to recognise in such human face the Face of God. (2nd May 2010). Fr Pierluigi Cameroni Promoter of Spiritual Activities

2 Let us pray to Mary Help of Christians 24th MAY 2010: happy feast of mary help of chrstians! We would like to present the beautiful and moving message of the Mother General of the F.M.A, Sr Yvonne Reungoat, on the occasion of Sicily s ADMA s VI Regional Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Tears to Syracuse (18 th April 2010). Such a message shows the Marian spirituality of the Founding Saints, and also the commitment of the Salesian Family to be a concrete sign of Mary s maternal care towards our material as well as spiritual needs, above all during times of trial. Dearest participants to the Annual Marian pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Tears of Syracuse, I am writing to you from Madagascar, from where I was asked to send you this message. From the news I have received, I congratulate you for the great number of participants, and especially for the great number of young people, who alongside you, will pay homage to Mary. It is with great pleasure that I send you my greetings and a short message on such an important occasion for your Association. The fact that your Pilgrimage, on the day when Don Bosco set up the Association in honour of Mary Help of Christians (18 th April 1869) makes this an even more joyous occasion. Mary, who in your beautiful island is honoured with the title of Our Lady of Tears, was a fundamental experience in the life of all our Founders. She was the Teacher given to Don Bosco through the dream he had when he was nine years old. And with Her, Mother and Guide, he gave his whole self for the happiness of the youth to the last. From a young age, Mother Mazzarello looked up to and prayed to Mary as the Immaculate Mary Help of Christians. Her life unfolded under Mary s watchful protection and was always characterised by her trust in God through Mary s hands. It is Mary who gathers you together as the Salesian Family and she is present to inspire you with the kind of love for God which becomes testimony for all those you meet day by day. She shares in the world s joys and sufferings, especially at this particularly difficult time for humanity. Her tears mix with ours and they invite us to turn our eyes up to God, in order to find a reason to trust and hope for the future. Mary teaches us that no suffering is meaningless. I leave you with the hope that you may look at reality through Mary s eyes, so that you may choose God s signs of love in your daily life. I am with you in spirit and I hope this meeting will be rich in Marian spirituality. We will therefore be together, meaningful adults in particular for the youth who are our present and our future. From Madagascar, 16th April 2010 Sr. Yvonne Reungoat f.m.a INTENTIONS FOR THE APOSTOLATE OF PRAYER JUNE 2010 General: So that all national and supranational institutions may commit to guaranteeing respect for human life from conception to its natural end. Missionary: So that the Churches in Asia, which make up a a small flock among non Christian people, may communicate the Gospel and joyfully give witness that they belong to Christ. Of the bishops: So that all Christians, by joyfully welcoming the Holy Spirit s gifts, may actively collaborate for the setting up of the Church, the body of Christ, at the service of the world. Marian: So that Mary may help us to feel the Father s mercy, which extends from generation to generation. 2

3 Witness Fr. Rua and the crowning of mary help of christians (17th may 1903) Fr Secondo Marchisio, a Salesian from Castelnuovo, had received from Don Bosco himself a little statue of Mary Help of Christians as a gift. As he was handing it to him, Don Bosco told him: You will have to work hard for Mary Help of Christians! Now, in the autumn of 1902, Fr Marchisio was in charge of the liturgical services in the shrine and only one thing worried him and kept him busy: was there anything special he could do in honour of Mary Help of Christians, on the occasion of the World Congress of the Salesian Co-operators which would be held in Turin in 1903? One evening he heard a voice coming from the little statue asking him: What are you waiting for? When are you going to crown me? The voice repeated the same question a second and a third time. Filled with wonder Fr Marchisio reported the occurrence to Don Rua, who listened to him carefully, managed to calm him down and told him not to mention it to anyone, but to pray according to his intention. On the eve of the Epiphany of 1903 blessed Michele Rua, Don Bosco s first successor, appeared before pope Leone XIII, accompanied by six brothers and six young boys ( two students and two artisans from Valdocco, plus another two young boys representing the parish youth club and the Sacred Heart school in Rome, in Castro Pretorio). The aim of the visit was to congratulate the Pope on behalf of Don Bosco s families for the Pontifical Jubilee, and to offer him two well wishing albums signed by students of the SDBs and FMAs, as well as a donation of lira. On that occasion Fr Rua, who had welcomed the suggestion from one of his brothers groups headed by Fr Marchisio - presented the Pope with the request to proceed with the Pontifical crowning of the image of Mary Help of Christians, and demanded the dispensation from the century of antiquity (of the picture) which was required for such crowning. The event (added Fr Rua), would be preceded by the III International Salesian Congress. The Pope gladly agreed to all these requests. On the 17 th of February the papal brief arrived (dated 13 th of February) for the crowning of Mary Help of Christians. After mentioning the confraternity of the devotees of Mary Help of Christians, the brief stressed how the act of worship of such a holy image of Mary Mother of God had crossed Italy s and Europe s borders, and today had (by special divine appointment) spread to all parts of the Christian world. " Fr Rua could not contain his joy. When writing to the Salesian co-operators, after mentioning the most painful announcement of Don Bosco s death 15 years earlier, he was happy to give the most wonderful and consoling news that I have ever given to you so far and I will ever give to you, even though I may be on this earth for many more years. Following the announcement of the approaching crowning he concluded: For us Mary Help of Christians is everything! She inspired and miraculously guided our Don Bosco in all his great undertakings. She is also the one who continues to grant her maternal assistance to all our work, so we can repeat with Don Bosco that all we have, we owe to Holy Mary Help of Christians. Everyone did their best to mobilise in honour of our Lady. Among Fr Secondo Marchisio s collaborators for the musical part was also the seminarist Vincenzo Cimatti, who is today Venerable, and provided a good number of tenors, whom he trained in Valsalice. In a letter of the 22nd of March 1903, he expressed his Marian enthusiasm by writing the following: In Turin fervet opus for our mother s feast and for the congress. And, as Fr Ma- The beautiful statue of Mary help of Christians, venerated in our shrine dates from It was Fr Michele Rua s idea to make it grand and solemn. The sculptors were called Minoia and came from Turin. The statue was given as a gift to thank the Virgin Mary Help of Christian for a favour. On the 17 th of May 1903, on the occasion of the solemn crowning of the painting, the statue together with baby Jesus was crowned by Cardinal Agostino Richelmy archbishop of Turin in the square facing the shrine, in front of a huge crowd 3

4 chisio used to say, the enthusiasm with which these men from the committee work so that all may go according to plan is incredible. Our Lady has great things in mind! After mentioning the special graces with which Our Lady accompanied the preparations and encourages charity, he concludes: Enough! Mary wants us to have a great feast! Let s keep going! With the participation of the Cardinals of Turin (Richelmy), Milan (Ferrari), Bologna (Svampa) and of 29 bishops guided by Mons. Cagliero, the celebration took place with great solemnity, on the 17th of May, and was headed by Card. Richelmy. At the last minute Card. Sarto from Venice (who would shortly after become Pope Pious X) apologised for not being able to attend the celebration with a telegram. The archbishop of Turin Card Richelmy, when drawing attention to the spread of the Salesian Family all over the world, expressed the hope that: it may expand through the whole world. These hopes will be realised because anything can be granted by the protection of Mary Help of Christians. The Blessed Michele Rua (who at times could not hold back his tears) was at the centre of the preparations and of the feast. The people of Turin gathered around him and took part in the religious celebration en masse (at the time people talked about including those inside and outside the Basilica). Very special attention was given (as in other occasion) to the music. The choirmaster Dogliani was in charge of 250 singers, who performed the Missa Papae Marcelli by Pierluigi da Palestrina. But the choristers were about 1000, divided into three choirs, and sang the solemn antiphon of the Crowning, composed by M.o Dogliani: "Corona aurea super caput eius". Fr Melchiorre Marocco remembers: Fr Ubaldi and I were the guests of honour of the Pontifical Legate, and so we could observe Fr Rua, who, when the crowns were placed on baby Jesus and Our Lady s head by His Eminence, burst into tears, which surprised us all as we all knew about his proverbial self-control. After the crowning the worship of Mary Help of Christians grew enormously throughout the world. That is what Fr Rua wanted, to glorify the Mother of God and honour her faithful servant Don Bosco. (Fr Eugenio Ceria). IT S A BOY! ADMA has a future! Our best wishes go to two young couples! Congratulations to two new ADMA couples: Paolo and Valentina from Turin with the little Emanuele, and to Marco and Laura from Nave (Brescia) with Emanuele. Our Lord is truly with us!!! Marco Laura with Emanuele Paolo Valentina with Emanuele Italian: French: Spanish: Portuguese English German The paper can be read at the following site: For every comunication you can contact the following adress: pcameroni@salesiani.it 4

5 Family Chronicle ADMA SICILY REGIONAL PILGRIMAGE TO SYRACUSE - After the end of the celebrations of the 140 anniversary since the foundation of the Association of Mary Help of Christians, set up by Giovanni Bosco on the 18th of April 1869 in Turin Valdocco, the Regional ADMA Council for Sicily decided to organise its VI Marian Regional Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Tears in Syracuse. The 1200 participants included members of the ADMA centres from Adrano, Barcellona, Calatabiano, Caltagirone, Capaci, Catania, Floridia, Gela, Lercara Friddi, Marsala, Messina, Modica, Pozzallo, Palagonia, Palermo, Siracusa, Taormina. Added to this, there were also 130 young people from various CGCS throughout Sicily: Palermo, Messina, Catania, S. Gregorio, Pedara, San Cataldo, Biancavilla. The pilgrimage, filled with emotion and Salesian spirit, was marked by a homage offered to Mary by the various CGS Sicily, by the Eucharistic celebration presided by Mons Salvatore Pappalardo, Archbishop of Syracuse; the pilgrimage to the house where the lacrimation took place, by the historical documentary of the event that took place from the 29 th of August until the 1 st of September It was a day filled with Mary s presence, following Don Bosco s footsteps who today, is still urging us to trust Mary our Mother and Help for all. (Syracuse, 18 th April 2010 The Regional ADMA Council). LUENA ANGOLA With the idea in mind to spread the devotion to Mary, known especially with the name of Help of Christians, I invited some people from the ADMA group from our parish to accompany me during my trips. The first mission (with eight mothers) began in Kamissamba, a small and poor village 50 km away on the 8 th of March. The second mission included 2 mothers on the 21 st in the area of Cikala e Saceka, 30 km away; the third (which included 2 men and 3 women) took place on the first week end after Easter in Cangonga and Cangumbe (a journey of 320 km). After the Eucharistic celebration, the mothers talked to the locals (who paid a lot of attention) about the importance of the devotion to Our Lady and of the Rosary. In all communities some people (men and women) placed themselves at our disposal for the setting up of new ADMA groups. (Fr Luigi De Liberali, ADMA Promoter Luena). 5

6 ALGECIRAS (SPAIN) ADMA S THIRD INSPECTORIAL ASSEMBLY FROM SEVILLE. They are the capillaries which feed the whole body. With this metaphor Francisco Ruiz, the Salesian inspector from Seville addressed over one thousand partecipants filling the pavilion of Algeciras, on Sunday 25 th of April, in a Salesian home which reminded people of the 75 anniversary since the arrival of the Salesians. He then added: The Church needs you to evangelise families and the kind of environment where our daily activities are performed. There were over a thousand people present who represented the various ADMA groups which arranged to meet in this Salesian home to celebrate the Third Inspectorial Assembly of the ADMA groups. The previous two had taken place in Seville and Granada. The motto of the meting was: Mary, announcement of the Gospel. Fr Abel Medina, inspectorial vicar delegated by the Salesian Family chaired the meeting, the most important moment of which was the Eucharistic celebration and the velada cultural with various folkloristic events, messages and a lot of information regarding the association. After lunch the parish priest s greeting, the words of good night from the Inspector and the singing of the Rendidos a tus plantas concluded this day devoted to sharing around the image of Mary Help of Christians. PRIMARY ADMA THE DISPLAY OF THE HOLY SHROUD Because of the display of the Holy Shroud in Turin (which means that thousands of pilgrims are going through Valdocco), we took the opportunity to present our Association in simple words, to let ourselves known, and to give witness to our love for Mary and for the choice we have made. The face of the man of the Shroud asks us to do our small part so that many people may get to know Jesus and may also love him through our Mother in heaven s meditation, from which we have received numerous favours! Here are some testimonies: We were struck by the fact that as soon as you start talking about Our Lady faces light up and each person has a special story to tell, how wonderful! We also noticed how much easier it is to build a rapport with families who travel through Valdocco, to take advantage of the moment when you arrive to a new place and you may feel a little lost Of course it would be impossible to approach all, but we put ourselves at Mary s disposal so that she may let people know about Jesus plan for salvation, which includes using ADMA (as well as own testimonies) as means to achieve such aim. (Rosanna and Daniele). It was truly surprising to see how so many people are truly glad to know that Mary is the Help of Christians and that Don Bosco was absolutely convinced of this fact! Together with the children Filippo, Luca and Emanuele, who volunteered to stay with us because they enjoyed seeing so many people and people looked at them in wonder.. smiling faces near the shrine little children holding small papers with the image of Mary on them? And some children approached them to see what it was all about. ( Lilli and family) 6

7 CÓRDOBA (ARGENTINA) On the 16 th and 18 th of April we all gathered in Cordoba: the local Councils, some ADMA members, together with the promoter of the new Inspectorate Artemide Zatti, Fr Aldo Tobares. During the meeting the document The path to training for ADMA was introduced, presented by the Primary ADMA, to which all ADMAs present in our Inspectorate have adhered. The Eucharist on the 16 th of April was presided by Fr Carlos Bosio delegated by the Salesian Family. I would like to point out the fact that the following people were present: the Formosa sisters, Sta. Fe, Rosario, Chaco, Salta, Tucumán, Córdoba (M. Auxiliadora, Alta Gracia, San Vicente, Río Tercero), Mendoza (Centro, Ceferino, Rodeo del Medio), San Luis y San Juan, all present despite the distance to share in this retreat, this moment of training, prayer and recreation, and above all the opportunity to get to know one another for the first time as members of the previous inspectorates of Cordoba and Rosario. As members of the Salesian Family we must open our hearts and work as one! (Stella Maris Correa de Recio ADMA President ARN Inspectorate). PANAMA: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY - THE ELECTIONS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL Sunday18th of April 2010 the ADMA members of Panamá de Basílica Don Bosco, Técnico Don Bosco and San Juan Bosco de David s parish, Chiriquí, gathered in a National Assembly to outline, as a continuation of ADMA s 3 Central American Congress, and the 1 Meeting of the Salesian Family in Central America, together with the world guidelines of the Association, the path to be followed in the next four years. The assembly began with the celebration of the lectio divina, continued with the revision of the addresses which are entrusted to the new National Council for the outline of the National plan for Promotion. Four main choices were made: to promote with renewed commitment the training of both members and aspiring members, to further strengthen the communion and communication with every group and at the national level among members, to strengthen the internal organisation of the National and local Council, finally, to commit to the promotion of vocations together with the Salesian Family. In the afternoon the new National Council for ADMA was elected - Panamá, which is set up as follows: President, Giovanni Pino Costantino; Vice President, Xiomara G. Meneses (Training); Treasurer, Denise Mata de Aguirre; Secretary, Cecilia Ureta; Counsellor, María Alejandra Chávez (ADMA for the youth), Rosalia de Richa ( Salesian Family and work), Maritza George (Marian and missionary). We thanked Mrs Rosalia de Richa for her service as the National president for eight years. 7

8 BOLIVIA CONGRESS OF THE SALESIAN FAMILY Saturday 1 May 2010 the Senior Vicar Fr Adriano Bregolin took part in the Congress of Salesian Family in Cochabamba-Fatima. Talking to about 200 participants, he explained some topics from the Christmas gift for 2010 by the Senior Rector. The presence of Fr Bregolin was a wonderful gift. He invited all to the congress in Poland. A good number of people from the ADMA group took part, among which a considerable number of young people. This was an opportunity for us to meet. Together we looked at the GUIDE, a manual for training in the promotion of the ADMA for the young people, who were very happy with this path designed especially for them. In the next few days we will look at how to make a small booklet and send it to all groups. Young people have shown great interest in ADMA online. I think it is very important for these groups to be more connected to the Primary and World ADMA. (P. Severino Laredo, ADMA Promoter). The ADMA youth group of Santa Cruz (Bolivia) is made up of young people who mainly organise activities for children and is lead by Fr Carlos Longo. GUADALAJARA-PAUDALHO (BRAZIL RECIFE) NINE NEW MEMBERS. On the 11 th of April 2010 the ceremony for the welcoming of the nine new ADMA members took place in Guadalajara-Paudalho. There was a beautiful Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr José Rodrigues Cezar, SDB, and the director of the Salesian school Fr Rinaldi di Carpina. The ADMA groups from Jaboatão (Oratorio and Colonia) were present during such an important moment for the Guadalajara-Paudalho group. It was with joy that after the Eucharistic celebration we experienced a moment of real brotherhood. Congratulations to the new ADMA members from Paudalho- Guadalajara! RECIFE (BRAZIL) ADMA S INSPECTORIAL COUNCIL S MEETING On the 17th April 2010 in Recife, in the Inspectorial Home the 1 Meeting of 2010 for ADMA s Council took place. During such meeting, the Inspector Fr Diego Vanzetta welcomed the ADMA members and Fr Antenore de Andrade, Delegate of the Salesian Family, chaired the meeting by talking about the mission and about the Salesian Family. 21 members from various Inspectorial homes where ADMA groups took part in the meeting. (Ana Ines - ADMA Jaboatão church youth club). VIGO (SPAIN) Some pictures of our trip through the Ría di Vigo, as we accompanied Mary Help of Christians, on the occasion of the conclusion of the centenary anniversary of the presence of ADMA in Vigo ( ). Together we prayed, sang and meditated the Holy Rosary (Fernandez Parado Maria Begogna). 8