18 APRIL 2022. ANCHORED TO THE TWO COLUMNS FOR 153 YEARS...

On 18th April 1869, a dream came true here in Valdocco: Don Bosco founded the Association of Devotees of Mary Help of Christians, as a sign of gratitude for the countless graces and miracles attributed to Mary's intercession and as an instrument to spread the devotion to the Virgin Mary and love for Jesus in the world.

And the dream continues! Over the years, many people have made their own the commitment to live their daily lives by imitating Mary and placing themselves under her mantle as her children.

Today, after 153 years, ADMA is one of the 32 groups of the Salesian Family, and under that mantle, it now has over 100,000 members in more than 50 countries around the world. The ADMA lives, changes, transforms itself through the people and it is called to live up to the challenges of the present times, renewing its fidelity to the two pillars: Adoration to Eucharist and devotion to Mary Help of Christians.

18th April is an important date. It reminds us of our origins and that we are on a journey and part of a river of grace that flows from generation to generation in history. It is not a past event to celebrate but a present one to live.

What then is our greatest desire? It is to be light, to spread grace and bear witness to what we have experienced: the beauty of entrusting our lives to Jesus through Mary. It is she who takes us by the hand and acts as our teacher in every situation. We have received everything with gratuitousness and hence we give everything to those we meet.