From the early hours of the morning in Fatima there was an atmosphere of joy and celebration. The Paul VI Centre, where the Congress takes place, began to come alive with the arrival of groups from different countries. Flags of different nations, smiles and warm embraces, as well as immense joy, have transformed the place into a space where the Salesian Family has found itself as a true family.
Among the first to arrive were the groups from Latin America, who brought their contagious joy, then came the groups from Europe, Africa and Asia, bearers of the wealth of their traditions and the fervour of their devotion.
For many the journey was long, but fatigue soon gave way to praise. “I thank Mary Help of Christians for being here today,” a participant from Caracas, Venezuela, repeated several times.
Several volunteers welcomed the participants with the smile and joy typical of the Salesian charism and, on arrival, each received a kit containing a rosary, a handkerchief, a reusable water bottle, a pen and a key ring. "The Salesian world is gathered here at the feet of the Lady of Dream," said Fr Tarcízio Morais, Superior of the Salesian Province of Portugal (POR).
With the arrival of all groups, the official opening of the 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians began at 17:00. The Congress was opened by Fr Tarcizio Morais, the Apostolic Nuncio in Portugal, Archbishop Ivo Scapolo, the Bishop of the Diocese of Leiria-Fatima, Bishop José Ornelas, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Patriarchate of Lisbon, Bishop Joaquim Mendes, SDB, the Vicar of the Rector Major, Fr Stefano Martoglio, the Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola; and by many other personalities.
In his opening speech – delivered in the five official languages of the Congress – Fr Morais began by emphasising Don Bosco's devotion to Mary Help of Christians: "It is in Don Bosco that devotion to Mary Help of Christians has materialised. Don Bosco found the strength to face all the challenges, "he stressed. For the Provincial, this Congress is particularly important because it aims to "think about the future of devotion to Mary Help of Christians."
Fr Joan Lluís Playà, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Salesian Family Secretariat, spoke of Mary as the "Teacher of the Salesian mission", stressing that we are "a Marian family".
Gabriel Cruz, World Spiritual Animator of the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), then took the floor, stressing the importance of the Dream at Nine Years of age which Don Bosco had 200 years ago: "It is wonderful to think that this Dream still exists within the groups of the Salesian Family," he said.
Sister Carmen Lucrécia Uribe, Worldwide Animator of ADMA, began by saying that the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are a "living monument to Mary Help of Christians" and that, for this reason, they must have the"audacity" to keep the dream "alive".
The final speech was given by Renato Valera, World President of the Primary ADMA, who stressed that all of us are "a small part of Don Bosco's dream".
In a moment of colour and joy, Don Bosco's "Dream at Nine Years of age" was presented by the Arte&Sal youth group at the Salesian Youth Centre in Funchal. Subsequently, another highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of seven images of the Madonna, from different countries, namely Angola, Argentina, Mexico, India, the Philippines, Slovakia and Italy.
After the official opening of the 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, the Eucharist was presided over by the Bishop of Leiria-Fatima, Bishop José Ornelas. In his homily, stressing the Gospel text that recalled the martyrdom of St John the Baptist, Bishop José Ornelas stressed the importance of God's call in the life of each of us, as well as the importance of Mary in this call.
During the thanksgiving moment, Marta Pereira da Costa, Ex-pupil of the "Musicentro" in Lisbon, played the hymn "Ave Maria Gratia Plena" with the Portuguese guitar.
