16.
ASSOCIATION OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS - ADMA
Public Association of the Faithful
HISTORY OF ADMA
The beginings of ADMA are directly tied to the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin. The
Association of Clients of Mary Help of Christians, the second group founded by Don Bosco, was
canonically erected at the Valdocco Shrine on the 18th April 1869, with a view to “promoting
veneration of the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary Help of Christians”. In 1870 Blessed
Pius IX raised it to the status of an Archconfraternity and enriched it with spiritual benefits.
In 1988, the centenary of Don Bosco's death, it was renewed, becoming the Association of Mary
Help of Christians (ADMA) and on 5th July 1989 was officially recognised as a Group of the
Salesian Family. Significant recognition came from General Chapter 24 of the Salesians (1996),
which said: "Don Bosco also gave rise to the Association of Clients of Mary Help of Christians
involving it, through tasks accessible to most simple people, in the Congregation's spirituality and
mission". The Common Identity Card of the Salesian Family of Don Bosco, speaking of the youth
and popular mission, says: “Don Bosco set out also, with the Association of the Clients of Mary
Help of Christians, a process of education to the faith for the people, exploiting the elements of
popular devotion and guiding them towards the wisdom of the Gospel which responds to the great
questions of existence” (Art. 21).
Begun in Valdocco, Turin at the Shrine to Mary Help of Christians as ADMA PRIMARIA, all other
groups were added to this, forming a single Association. Each local association therefore, nurtures
a special communion and dialogue and solidarity with the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in
Valdocco, Turin and with the Primary Group set up there. In fact ADMA is the only Group in the
Salesian Family which because of its special bond with the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians,
keeps its official and historical centre in Turin.
ADMA has spread throughout the world, especially in the works of the Salesians and Salesian
Sisters, and has seen almost miraculous development in certain countries, thanks to the apostolic
zeal of so many missionaries who have entrusted their apostolic and educational work to the
intercession of Mary Help of Christians, building churches and shrines everywhere and fostering a
lively and sincere devotion amongst the people.
ADMA SPIRITUALITY
Personal belonging to the Association requires:
- seeing the value of, in harmony with the Church of whom Mary is the figure and type,
participation in liturgical life, especially the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation, in personal
Christian practice;
- living and spreading devotion to Mary Help of Christians, renewing popular piety, according to
the spirit of Don Bosco;
- imitating Mary, nurturing a Christian environment of warmth and solidarity in one's own family;
- practising, through prayer and action, concern for poor youngsters and people in need;
- supporting the Church, especially in the Salesian Family, in praying for lay, consecrated and
priestly vocations;
- living a daily spirituality with Gospel attitudes, following Mary's example: obedience to God's
will (Fiat); gratitude to God for the marvels he has wrought (Magnificat); fidelity to Him in
moments of difficulty and the Cross (Stabat).
This traditional devotion in a Salesian style takes on a strong apostolic character, so our Mother
may come to the Help of Christians, especially when their faith is at risk. PROMOTING ADMA
means offering a practical and simple path to holiness and apostolate and promoting devotion to
Mary Help of Christians as an imitation of her life with Jesus and the Church.
THE ASSOCIATION IN THE SALESIAN FAMILY
“Members", wrote, Fr Egidio Viganò, "are part of the Salesian Family through their devotion to the
Help of Christians in the way set up by Don Bosco. This belonging involves giving honour to Mary,
Help and Mother of the Church, taking part in Don Bosco's mission to the young and to ordinary
people from the point of view of increase and defence of the faith amongst the people”. This is
expressed:
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by spreading the Marian dimension of the Salesian charism;
through pastoral and educational activity with young couples and families, original beneficiaries
of education and the first place for evangelisation to take place;
by giving attention to involving young people in in this way of spirituality and education to
present the maternal face of Mary and the Church;
promoting vocations through Marian and Eucharistic prayer;
collaborating with Groups in the Salesian Family (Congresses of Mary Help of Christians at
province, national, international level);
spreading ADMA in Salesian parishes as a Salesian element in parish ministry;
presenting ADMA to Salesians and FMA in the various stages of initial formation;
presenting the spirit and life of the Association through mass-media (publications, interviews,
broadcasts…) in collaboration with Salesian Publishers, the Salesian Bulletin and other
information agencies. Particular tools for communion, formation and information in the
Association are the Maria Ausiliatrice magazine with an insert on ADMA, ADMAonline and the
Quaderni di Maria Ausiliatrice collection.
Founder
Date founded
Membership numbers
Date admitted to the SF
President
SDB spiritual animator
Web page
Saint John Bosco
Turin 18th April 1869
around 3350 Associations, of whom 1606 refer directly
to the SDB, 1266 to the FMA, 478 in Dioceses. It would be
more difficult to asses the number of members
5th July 1989
Mrs CHIOSSO GIUSEPPINA
(in office until 2010)
Via Maria Ausiliatrice 32
10152 TORINO TO Italia
Email: adma.torino@tiscali.it
Email: giusy.chiosso@yahoo.it
Tel.: xx39-011-5224216
TelFax.: xx39-011-5224213
Fr Pier Luigi Cameroni
Via S. G. Bosco 1
25075 NAVE - BS Italia
Email: pcameroni@salesiani.it
Tel.: xx39-0302530262
Fax.:xx39-0302533190
Cell: xx39-3401452349
italiano: www.donbosco-torino.it/ita/adma
French: www.donbosco-torino.it/fra/adma
espñol: www.donbosco-torino.it/spa/adma
Portugues: www.donbosco-torino.it/port/adma
English: www.donbosco-torino.it/eng/adma