From 29 August to 1 September 2024, Fatima will host the 9th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians, with the theme: “I will give you a Teacher”. The aim is to know, explore and spread devotion to Mary Help of Christians.
The International Congresses of Mary Help of Christians are presented as a proposal for all the groups of the Salesian Family. The first of these meetings was organised by Fr Egidio Viganò and took place in Turin in 1988, in the centenary of the death of Don Bosco. Since then, seven more international congresses have been held.
In 1995, the city of Cochabamba in Bolivia hosted the Second International Congress of Mary Help of Christians.
The Third International Congress of Mary Help of Christians was held in Seville, Spain, in 1999. In 2003, Valdocco, Turin (Italy) hosted another Congress, this time on the occasion of the centenary of the coronation of Mary Help of Christians.
In 2007, Mexico City hosted the 5th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians. It was a privileged opportunity to re-launch devotion to Mary Help of Christians.
In 2011, the city of Czestochowa in Poland hosted the 6th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians.
The 7th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians was held in Valdocco/Colle Don Bosco (Italy) in 2015, during the celebrations for the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco.
2019 was marked by the 8th International Congress of Mary Help of Christians in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With the theme “With Mary, a believing woman”, this event which marked the 150th anniversary of the foundation of ADMA, was an opportunity to profess, as children of Don Bosco, a filial and strong devotion to our Mother.