The following comes from the Salesian News Agency:The third day of the VI International Congress of Mary Help of Christians brought together the three passions of Don Bosco which are characteristic of Salesian Spirituality: the Eucharist, the Pope and Mary.
The day opened with the Eucharist. In his homily the Rector Major chose a phrase which sums up the Pontificate of John Paul II, "I want nothing else but to give God back to the world". "I think this was the cause closest to his heart, for which he brought the Gospel to all corners of the world and spoke in all the forums where he was invited to speak. John Paul II - a shining lamp, illuminating the mind and warming the heart, a man, a believer, a pastor, a vicar of Christ who spoke with his words and with his life."
After the Mass, beneath the image of the Black Madonna, all the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) attending the Congress gathered around their Superior General, Mother Yvonne Reungoat, to renew their vows and pray, with all those present, for the entire Institute, entrusting it to the Madonna. With this entrustment to Mary began the celebrations for the 140th anniversary of the foundation of the FMA Institute.
The first part of the day followed the pattern of the previous morning: a paper followed by testimony and experiences. Fr Jan Pach, of the Pauline community which looks after the church of Jasna Góra, delivered a paper – Our Lady of Czestochowa, known as the Black Madonna – on the history of the sanctuary and of the picture which has been kept there since 1382. Fr Pach then described the painting and the symbolism of the Marian icon. "The trust of Poles and pilgrims from around the world, in the intercession of Mary, the Lady of Jasna Góra, manifests itself in an increasing number of pilgrims. In recent years the shrine has been visited by more than four million people, including over 170,000 pilgrims each year who journey on foot."
The person presented in the ‘Testimony’ section was Blessed John Paul II. The outstanding witness was Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow, who was for forty years the personal secretary of the newly beatified. "I am happy that he means so much to you. As a young student he got to know the Salesians when he attended a parish run by them; there he was formed. One day, when he went for Mass, he found the church empty: the Salesians had been taken away to Oświęcim."
The prelate described how John Paul II had left a great spiritual heritage in which prayer played a central role. "Often he prostrated himself before the Blessed Sacrament. There was a little table with paper; it was his special place."
He called to mind the day of his election as successor of Peter and his pontificate: "On the day of the Conclave he said: ‘Look what they have done to me!’. He was proud of the culture and history of his fatherland, Poland, but he opened himself with ease to other cultures. He knew so many languages: he never needed an interpreter. He changed economic and political systems with the power of a giant. Pope Benedict XVI once said: ‘John Paul II has helped us not to be afraid, because truth is the guarantee of freedom.’"
He added "John Paul II used no weapon other than the Word of God. He was a giant of the faith. His motto ‘Totus Tuus’ was not an empty phrase. In him we have a wise guide in the difficult world of today." After his presentation there was a short film about John Paul II.
The experience was shared by Sr Rosalina Ravasio, foundress of the Shalom Community at Palazzolo Sull’Oglio (Italy), for young drug addicts and those suffering from the typical problems of youth. She told how, within the community, she had set up an ADMA youth group called ‘Fire-power with Mary Help of Christians’. "Mary is indeed a unique and special presence in our journey of healing and liberation." Several young women then shared the story of their journeys, beginning in tragedy and then, thanks to the Shalom Community, turning to hope.
The afternoon began with Eucharistic adoration and a celebration of fervent prayer in several languages. This was followed by some time working in language groups.
The evening ended with prayer of intercession in the Sanctuary of Jasna Góra, an invocation for the sick, for the suffering, for those persecuted for their faith and for those finding themselves in difficulties.
The programme and the texts of the speeches are available on the ADMA website.
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