The Congress was opened by Father Simon Asira Lipuku, Superior of the Salesian Province of East Africa (AFE), who reminded those present: "The celebrations mark the 43 years of Salesian presence in East Africa and are, in particular, a celebration of the patronage of Saint Artemides Zatti."
In the first part of the Congress, Fr Asira expressed gratitude for the large number of participants and invited everyone to pray for peace in Sudan and to coordinate Salesian activities in South Sudan. Sudan is experiencing the dramatic situation of civil war, due to which the Salesian communities in the country have not been able to attend the Congress.
On the first day, Fr Alejandro Guevara, World Spiritual Animator of ADMA, also took part in the Congress. “I am happy to be among you to honour Mary,” he said, congratulating the organisation and the presence of so many young people. He then urged those present to ask themselves: what is the dream that God has for me? Finally, he invited everyone to love God, through Mary and Don Bosco.
The day ended with the “good night”from Fr Giorgio Conte, whose main message focused on Mary and how she was a guide for Don Bosco.
Work resumed the following day, Thursday 29 June, with a Lectio Divina whose theme was “The Angel Gabriel was sent from God” (Lk 1:26). Thus, the participants were urged to look at vocation as a call from God and to listen to God's voice within us, as Mary did. The two questions that guided the reflection were: "How does God work in my daily life? And how has God led me thus far from the past?”
Subsequently, Father George Kocholickal gave an address on "God's action in my life”, highlighting, in his presentation, eight key points of the Gospel that speak of the Mary's call and highlighting the experience of certain women, including Rebecca and Miriam, whose life resembles Mary's. He then urged everyone to ask themselves the question: “What does God want to do in my life?” and to find the answers by reading God's Word and praying.
Some workshops were held in the afternoon on Mary in the New Testament, Mary in the Vatican, Marian Devotions, Mary and St John Paul II, Dogmas involving Mary and the architecture of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. Then in the evening the Rector of the Shrine, Father Abel Thathi, was main celebrant at the Eucharist, remembering in the homily that we can change the world if we allow God's Word to be part of us and that we can achieve true freedom when we allow God's will to be our will.
The activities of the day then ended with the “good night” from Sister Laurenzia, FMA, who together with the students at Embu Don Bosco Girls presented the ways we can emulate the ten virtues of Mary.
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