Fr Guido Errico, Rector of the basilica, invited all those present to reflect on the fact that they were gathered right under the basilica, where the foundations from which the stone construction of the Sanctuary began, and where aspirants to ADMA can also lay the foundations of their journey.
Renato Valera, President of Primary ADMA, then highlighted that all over the world many groups walk together to get to know Mary and to transform their lives through her in imitation of Jesus.
Fr Alejandro Guevara, World Spiritual Animator of ADMA, instead proposed to look at the day of the beginning of the journey as that of the conception of a new life. In this perspective, aspirants are called to be born as children of Mary, to be incorporated as members in her association. This is why Fr Guevara expressed the desire that this path lead them to fall in love more and more with Mary.
Again, Tullio Lucca, former President of Primary ADMA, then added that at the base of this journey of faith and spirituality there is a relationship of love with Mary, who guides the aspirants all together towards Jesus, making them experience people and family. And he also recalled Don Bosco's intuition when he founded the basilica: a basilica of stones is not enough, one of people is needed who must place a strong bond with Jesus in the Eucharist and with Mary at the basis of their experience. “It is the Totus tuus of Luigi Maria Grignion de Montfort, the motto of Pope John Paul II: All with Mary, all for Mary, all through Mary who leads us to Jesus because she is the full transparency of Jesus”.
Finally, speaking of the apostolate, he manifested the importance of bringing Jesus and Mary to others through a concrete love for one's brother, following Don Bosco's motto Da mihi animas coetera tolle, and bearing witness with his own life to the love received from Mary.
The meeting ended with Fr Guevara’s last note, who underlined how, although it is Mary who guides the training course, the aspiring members of ADMA are also accompanied by all the other people who are part of the association.
