ADMA IN LA SPEZIA
We would like to update you on the path taken by ADMA in La Spezia. in the parish of 'Our Lady of Snow', entrusted to the Salesian Fathers.
After the first contacts in 2016 with Fr. Cameroni and meetings with Gianluca and Renato, contacts were made with the ADMA groups in Genova and in Savona, on the occasion of the opening of the Cause for the Beatification of Vera Grita.
In the meantime, we have remained faithful to the two monthly meetings even during the most critical period of the pandemic:
- Every month the Rosary on the 24th;
- Every month the formation with catechesis by Fr. Cameroni first and then by Fr. Carelli and Fr. Alessandro.
Initially, we prayed the Rosary on the 24th in a little chapel in the oratory. There were very few of us! Then the number grew and now we have the availability of the parish church and, on average, we are about 50 people. We often also combine it with the Eucharistic exposition.
For our formation meeting, generally on the second Sunday of the month, we follow the pattern as below:
3 pm. start with singing and prayer
3.15 pm. video-catechesis
4 pm. sharing
5 pm Rosary (sometimes with exposition of the Eucharist) and confessions
6 pm. Holy Mass
Sometimes we stay on and share our dinner!
We have had ups and downs in numbers but a 'steady group' of 8 couples with 14 children has always been present.
We are blessed to have Fr. Fabrizio Di Loreto sdb as our spiritual animator.
On 19th March 2020, the Feast of St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of La Spezia, we received the formal canonical erection by the Provincial, Fr. Stefano Aspettati, sdb.
We also managed to form a small musical orchestra for the animation of the rosary on the 24th and for the triduum for the feast of Don Bosco, composed of the children of the couples of the ADMA families. We commit ourselves in the CEP for the liturgical animation of adoration and rosary in the Marian Month of May and during special liturgical seasons during the year. Many animated prayer moments for the community are shared via streaming on the parish's face book page "THE COLUMNS OF DON BOSCO" at the link: https://it-it.facebook.com/groups/237126767329956/
Each member personally contributes to the activities of the Salesian work in different areas, mainly
- Catechism for boys in Christian initiation
- Accompaniment of Adults in their catechumenate journey
- Preparation of engaged couples through premarital courses
Recently, a couple wrote to national headquarters that they want to start an ADMA group for young people.
We have many shortcomings, both individual and communitarian, to offer at the feet of Mary Help of Christians, but the desire to grow together is very strong!
Patrizia and Davide Palumbo
