The participants come from different centers: Venilale, Baucau, Comoro/Dili, Balide/ Dili, Laga, Quelicai, Fuiloro, Maliana, Lospalos and Fatumaca as the host of this event.
There were about 800 participants for this event from the different houses mentioned above. There was also the National President, Maria de Fatima Imaculada Correira da Costa Belo, with the entire National committee, including also the National Spiritual animator, Fr Manuel da Silva Ximenes, SDB, Fr Inocencio Diamantino (local animator Lospalos), Fr José de Sá (Venilale), Fr Silvano de Oliveira (Dili Post-Noviciate). Also present: FMA sisters as ADMA animators: Sr Alice (Laga), Sr Ermelinda Gomes (Fuiloro), Sr Carolina, (Venilale), Sr Sanzinha (Baucau), Sr Maria Virginia (Comoro/Dili), Sr Albina (Maliana) and Sr Armenia (Balide/Dili).
ADMA members arrived in Fatumaca between 8 and 9 am. ADMA Fatumaca started to provide breakfast for those who had traveled from afar. At the same time, the National secretary of ADMA, Joao Brito gave the orientations to the new members on how to answer to questions that would be asked.
The program was formally started with an opening prayer led by Fr José de Sá, SDB, Rector of “Maria de Fatima Imaculada”. Correia da Costa Belo, National President of ADMA, welcomed members and gave a short introduction on the importance of the ADMA’s vocation by saying that “Mary called Us” - in local language: “MARIA mak BOLU ITA.” The vocation of ADMA continues to spread the two important pillars which are continue to show our love and venerate Jesus' real presence in the Eucharist and devotion to Mary Help of Christians.
At 09:45-10:45, Fr Manuel da Silva Ximenes gave a conference about the history of ADMA for the 218 new members and included the old members starting with the Logo for the 150th year anniversary of the foundation: “Hic domus mea, inde Gloria mea”.
The history of ADMA much encourages all members to be faithful to their vocation and also to be proud of their belonging because ADMA is a part of the Salesian family. Fr da Silva Ximenes also presented the report of ADMA World President Renato Valero and World Animator Fr Pierlugi Cameroni: “In this first period of the 150th anniversary, ADMA has reached about 100,000 members in 50 countries organized in 800 groups.” Fr Manuel added that these 800 groups already included 35 groups from East Timor, therefore “love your vocation as an ADMA not for just the quantity, but to become good quality members.”
Shown at the end was a short Video Message of the Rector Major for the 150th anniversary of ADMA's foundation. ADMA East Timor was extremely grateful for the Rector Major’s greetings and his wonderful message, remembering the words of the Rector Major and his advice in their prayers.
After that, Secretary General Joao Brito announced the activities for the 150th anniversary celebrations in East Timor, which will end on 13-15 December, 2019, in the Cathedral of Baucau. The following activities will be done at both the local and the National level: Choirs (15-20 persons), Poetry (Holiness for you, too!) and Competition (Quiz) regarding the history of Mary Help of Christians and Saint Callisto Caravario. Those who will attain the first place at the local level will compete in the National level on 13 December, 2019.
To conclude this encounter was the Holy Mass presided by Fr Apolinario Maria Ornai Neto (TLS provincial) and conconcelebrants, Fr Manuel Ximenes, Fr Anacleto Pires (Novice Master – Fatumaca), Fr Inocencio Diamantino (Lospalos) and Fr José de Sá (Venilale), Fr Silvano de Oliveira (Comoro/Dili).
https://www.infoans.org/en/component/k2/item/8059#sigProId3a8baa83a7
