ADMA-Y Structure
The First Council of ADMA-Y, USA West, Bellflower, California developed the following guidelines to enhance the structure of the existing ADMA-Y Proposal and ADMA Youth: Consideration and Guidelines reviewed in “The Association of Mary Help of Christians on the 150th anniversary of its foundation“ (pages 46-50). The following guidelines are designed to support new ADMA-Y groups by providing a starting point but are not intended to replace the Official ADMA Regulations. These guidelines are also meant to offer assistance, not to prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach. Each ADMA-Y group should customize its guidelines to fit its unique environment and needs. For more information please reach out to info@admaywest.org
Participant Categorization
Youth (Age: 12-16): Youth that are interested in joining the Salesian Family can begin Salesian participation in ADMA-Y before coming of age and joining the Salesian Family
Young Adults (Age: 17-30): Young adults that are interested in joining the Salesian Family are recommended to go through formation to be part of ADMA first, then become an ADMA-Y Facilitator
ADMA-Y Participant Meetings
ADMA-Y meets twice a month on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. One meeting is dedicated to learning about Mary, mother of God and the other meeting is dedicated to strengthening faith through different spiritual activities. The duration of each meeting is one hour and a half.
Types of meetings:
Meeting Mary: The focus of these meetings is to deepen our devotion to Mary by exploring various Marian apparitions, images, and feast days. For instance, in July, ADMA-Y studied Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whose feast day is on July 16. We learned about the history of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, implementing our ADMA-Y Learning Outcomes, and crafted our own scapulars. By wearing these handmade scapulars, we seek Mary's protection and express our veneration, trust, and love for her.
Apostolic Activity: These meetings feature a variety of spiritual activities designed to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with God. They include practices such as adoration, lectio divina, praying the rosary, participating in confession together, and attending Mass as a group. Additionally, our apostolic activities incorporate Bible stories and gospel values to further enrich our spiritual journey. We also engage in community service by supporting local parish groups, organizing park and beach clean-ups, and visiting the elderly and those who are ill.
Regulations of the Association of Mary Help of Christians
A quick reference guide to the commitment of ADMA Members
Section I, Article 2: Nature and Purpose
The Association of Mary Help of Christians offers a path that leads to holiness and to the Salesian apostolate
In particular Don Bosco founded it to involve the majority of working-class people in the spirituality and mission of the Salesian Congregation, as a second specific Group in his work
Section I, Article 3: The Association in the Salesian Family
The members form part of the Salesian Family “through Salesian devotion to the Help of Christians in the manner established by Don Bosco himself. Membership is a commitment to honor Mary, helper and mother of the Church, by taking part in Don Bosco’s mission to peoples, particularly the young, and especially in its aspects of fostering and defending the Christians faith”.
In the Salesian Family the Association emphasizes and spreads popular Marian devotion, as a means of evangelization and advancement of peoples, particularly the young and of needy youngsters.
It recognizes the Rector Major, successor of Don Bosco, as the father and center of unity of the entire Family.
Section I, Article 4: Personal Commitment of the Members
Personal adherence to the Association implies the following commitments, particularly in the family and local environment, and in the areas of work and friendship:
a due esteem for and participation in liturgical life, in harmony with the Church of which Mary is the type and figure; and in particular for the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and in the practice of a personal Christian life;
living and spreading devotion to Mary Help of Christians in accordance with Don Bosco’s spirit, in particular in the Salesian Family
renewing, strengthening and living common devotional practices:
the commemoration of the 24th of each month
the rosary
the novena in preparation for the feast of Mary Help of Christians
the blessing of Mary Help of Christians
pilgrimages to Marian sanctuaries
processions
collaboration in parish life: liturgy, catechesis, visits to the sick and aged, various services in the churches, etc.
imitating Mary by cultivating in one’s own family a Christian environment of welcome and solidarity;
being solicitous in prayer and action for poor youngsters and other persons in need;
praying for and supporting lay, religious and ministerial vocations in the Church and in the Salesian Family in particular;
living a daily spirituality with evangelical attitudes, especially with thanksgiving to God for the wonders he continually he works, and with fidelity to him even in times of difficulty and the Cross, following Mary’s example.
Section II, Article 10: Personal Participation in the Life of the Association
“The local Association must foster the ongoing formation of the members, and organize local activities and initiatives in harmony with the Statutes.”
Section II, Article 11: Deep moments of Membership
For the purpose of promoting communion, fostering ongoing formation and exchange of experiences, the local Association organizes:
Monthly meetings (open also to members of the Salesian Family and any others who wish to take part) for the purpose of doctrinal formation, prayer and celebration or adoration of the Eucharist, if possible on the 24th of the month, the day when Mary Help of Christians is commemorated
The annual Marian day
Participation in celebrations or meetings of the Salesian Family
Spiritual Exercises for the members
Processions, pilgrimages, days of retreat
Other meetings programmed locally
Also see art. 4.
Section II, Article 12 – Local Councils of the Association
Every local Association is coordinated by a Council, elected by the assembly of all the members from a list of candidates who have declared themselves available for fraternal service.
The local Council is made up of the President, Vice-president, Treasurer, Secretary, and an adequate number of councilors, according to the Association’s needs. The spiritual animator, male or female, is a member of the Council by right.
For a candidate to be elected a simple majority of votes is required. The members of the Council remain in office for 4 years and may be re-elected for a further 4 years.
When the Council is complete, the specific tasks within it are decided by the Council itself.
The President convokes Council meetings and presides over them; he prepares the agenda and communicates with the councilors through the Secretary. He represents the Association in external relationships.
The Vice-president takes the place of the President when the latter is absent or when other needs require it, but always in agreement with the President.
The Treasurer administers the goods of the Association according to the laws of the Country concerned and with the consent of the Council. He presents every year the annual balance sheet and budget.
The Secretary, on the instructions of the President, sends to the members the dates and agenda for the meetings, writes the minutes, and takes care of the Association’s archives.
To each of the other Councilors is assigned the responsibility for a sector of the local activities.
Normally the Council meets once a month.
Section II, Article 13 – Spiritual Animators
The Spiritual Animators of the Association are appointed by the Salesian Provincial or by the Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
They promote, in particular, formation to Salesian spirituality and communion with the life and projects of the particular Church.
Eligible for appointment as Animators are also members of the Association or of the Salesian Family, if they are duly prepared.
Appendix III, The Regulations for the Clients of Mary Help of Christians written by Don Bosco
The members of the Association aim at promoting the glories of the divine Mother of the Savior in order to merit her protection in life and particularly at the moment of death.
They have two special objectives: to spread devotion to the Blessed Virgin and veneration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
They will make use of words, advice, good works and influence to promote dignity and devotion in the novenas, feasts and solemnities that occur during the year to honor the Blessed Virgin and the Most Holy Sacrament.
The spreading of good books, pictures, medals and leaflets, taking part in Processions in honor of Mary most holy and the Blessed Sacrament and encouraging others to do likewise, frequent Communion and presence at Holy Mass, the accompaniment of Viaticum to the dying, are the things the members try to promote by all the means possible to their state in life.
The members will strive never to use blasphemy or engage in talk contrary to religion, and will do their utmost to prevent those under their control from doing likewise; they will also do all they can to remove obstacles in the way of the sanctification of Sundays and Feast-days.
Every member, in line with the advice of the catechisms and spiritual directors, is warmly urged to approach the Sacraments of Confession and Communion once a month, and assist at daily Mass if their duties permit.
Every day after their morning and night prayers, the members will recite in honor of the Blessed Sacrament: “Blessed and praised every moment be the Most Holy and Divine Sacrament”; and in honor of the Blessed Virgin: “Mary Help of Christians, pray for us”.