ADMA International Congress in Fatima

By Fr. John Puntino, SDB

(Etobicoke, ON – September 11) – The Ninth ADMA International Congress was held in Fatima from Monday, August 29, through Sunday, September 1. One thousand four hundred participants converged from all parts of the world. ADMA member Prima Roine from Surrey and Sr. Alphonsine Roy, FMA, and Fr. John Puntino, SDB, from Toronto represented Canada. Sr. Myriam Meus, FMA, from Marrero represented the Eastern USA. ADMA members from St. Dominic Savio Parish in Bellflower and from the Salesian presence in East Los Angeles represented the Western USA.

From the opening ceremony, the Salesian Family spirit was palpable. The young adult MCs, musicians, and singers gave the assembly an oratorian flavor. The greetings and reflections given in five languages by the Vicar General, Fr. Stefano Martoglio, united participants and opened their hearts to his message: We share in the joy of Don Bosco’s devotion to Mary Help of Christians as our mother and protectress. As Don Bosco instilled love for Mary Help of Christians in young people, so must the Salesian Family do today by each one’s renewing his or her devotion in the certainty of Mary as our mother and protectress.

Renato Valera, World President of the Primary ADMA Center at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians; Mother General Chiara Cazzuola, FMA; members of the DBV Central Council; and Salesian Cooperator representatives joined Fr. Martoglio in the Congress.

The four major conferences touched on the history and message of Fatima, a theological reading of Don Bosco’s dream at nine years old, Mary and the art of discernment, and Mary and the education of today’s young people.

Among the moments of entertainment, members of the Salesian Youth Center in Funchal on the island of Madeira gave a dramatic presentation of the joy of a Salesian oratory founded on reliance on the sacraments and devotion to Mary.

The days of the Congress were a pleasant blend of conferences, witness talks, entertainments with young people, Masses, the famous and profound Fatima Candlelight Rosary and Procession and fellowship at meals and break times.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

Previous ADMA conferences frequently chose Marian shrines such as Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, Our Lady of Czestochowa in Poland, and, of course, the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin. This year’s Congress took place at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.

At the center of the Shrine is the modest Chapel of the Apparitions, where pilgrims come throughout the day, some on their knees, taking advantage of private time for prayer and scheduled Masses, and Rosaries. A pillar with one of the Fatima statues of Our Lady marks the location of the tree on which Mary appeared to the three young shepherds in 1917. Nearby is a structure designed to accommodate those who wish to burn votive candles in prayer for Mary’s intercession. So many pilgrims offer so many candles that the structure seems more like a giant furnace.

Cova da Iris means "Valley of Peace." The Chapel of the Apparition lies in the valley between two major churches. On one end of the Shrine rests the iconic Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary with the tombs of Sts. Jacinta and Francisco and Sr. Lucia. On the other end of the valley is situated the more recent Church of the Most Holy Trinity. Connected with this larger, circular structure are lower-level spaces for an adoration chapel, sacrament of Reconciliation, a smaller chapel, and a museum of rosaries.

The Shrine Museum sits across from the Church of the Apparition. It houses the Crown of Mary in which lies the bullet removed from St. John Paul II after the failed assassination attempt on May 13, 1981. Further along the same side is a monument housing a piece of the Berlin Wall, reminding pilgrims of the effectiveness of the response to Mary’s appeal to pray for the end of atheistic communist governments.

The Shrine also contains other monuments such as one representing the Angel of Peace, who appeared to the three visionaries in 1916.

The overall effect of the Shrine is that of a sacred atmosphere of prayer and reflection. Missing are vendors selling religious articles and all but the most modest and discreet requests for donations.

The Paul VI Conference Center sits across a small street from the Most Holy Trinity Chapel. It easily accommodated the 1,400 ADMA International Congress participants.