(ANS – Turin) – A pilgrimage represents a journey to a sacred space and incorporates a profound act of religious devotion and a time of reflection and prayer. Historically, jubilees have been synonymous with the journey, and the spirituality that accompanies this pilgrimage makes the journey meaningful and unique. On Friday, January 17, 2025, on the second of the Spirituality Days for the Salesian Family, the participants of the event undertook a spiritual pilgrimage, as pilgrims of hope, from the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians to the Cathedral of Turin, following in the footsteps of Don Bosco.
The route crossed the streets and squares that Don Bosco traveled on countless occasions, thus making the experience richer and more meaningful for all participants. Divided into linguistic groups, the members of the Salesian Family present in Turin followed a tour animated by expert guides. This thematic approach deepened his understanding of the life of Don Bosco and the holiness that emerged in Turin, which has made a great contribution to the entire Church.
The organized routes delved into the following topics: Oratory in motion, Justice and Mercy, Carlo Gastini Tour, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Tour, Prayer, Pastoral Care and Prisons, Social Works of Hope, Social Saints of Hope, and Don Bosco Yesterday and the HMA Today. The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, which houses the Shroud, was the final destination of the pilgrimage. Upon arrival, the members of the Salesian Family gathered for a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Monsignor Alessandro Giraudo, auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Turin, who, in his homily, underlined how the saints give a credible witness through their lives, showing the beauty of God’s love and mercy, and cited in particular the examples of Saint John Bosco and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.
After the mass, Federica Baradello, a young woman from Turin, shared her testimony about the life, work and inspiration of the blessed – and future saint – Pier Giorgio Frassati, whose remains rest precisely in the city’s cathedral. The young guide highlighted the link between Pier Giorgio Frassati and Don Bosco, underlining how both figures have inspired her faith. Afterwards, he spoke passionately about how Frassati became a beacon of hope in his life and for many young people in Turin. He highlighted the extraordinary choices of that young man, such as his service to the poor, despite coming from a wealthy family; his commitment to social justice, which led him to interact directly with marginalized communities; and his deep Christian faith.
Even in his personal difficulties and in his untimely death, at the age of twenty-four, he maintained a joyful spirit based on hope and charity. For this reason, the young guide Federica Baradello concluded her intervention by recalling Pier Giorgio Frassati’s conviction that true life comes from faith, and urged everyone to embrace their faith in the search for a meaningful life. The pilgrimage of the second of the JEFS2024 offered a new opportunity to find God through some of his witnesses. During this journey, the members of the Salesian Family found hope in their hearts, bringing their prayers and intentions to the Lord, and they found God in the sacred spaces of Turin, in the memory of the saints, and also in their companions on the road and on the same pilgrimage.
