East Timor – ADMA of the Vice Province of East Timor had its third National Congress

Fatumaca, East Timor - November 2022 -

The Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) of the Vice Province of East Timor held its third National Congress from 18th to 20th November, at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Fatumaca. The Congress, which was attended by 350 ADMA members, was centred on the theme ‘Like Mary, we walk with Jesus’. Fr. Manuel Da Silva Ximenes, the Spiritual Animator of the ADMA of East Timor, and Sister Lucrécia, Responsible of the Salesian Family, welcomed those present.

During these three days of the Congress, there were numerous conferences, especially one by Sr. Esmeralda Soares, FMA, on the Strenna of the Rector Major and another by Fr. Apolinário Neto, SDB, focusing on the charismatic identity of the Salesian Family. The third speaker was the Superior of the Salesian Vice province of East Timor (TLS), Fr. Anacleto Pires, who recommended the participants to promote devotion to Mary in their daily lives through words and deeds. Elections for the new leadership for the period 2022-2026 were also held during the Congress. João Brito Gusmão Ximenes was elected President, Maria Lourdes Sousa Vice-President, Ana Mafalda S. da Costa as Secretary and Domingos Belo as Treasurer.