(ANS – Turin) – This year, Holy Week—and in particular the Easter Triduum—at the Salesian Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin will have a special focus: it will be observed in a spirit of prayerful solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land, invoking the gift of peace for them.

The Significance of a Spiritual Twinning

The initiative, conceived and promoted by the Rector of the Basilica, Fr. Michele Viviano, is intended as a concrete response to the appeal made by the Salesians of the “Jesus the Adolescent” Province in the Middle East to persevere in prayer for peace in the region. It has also found visual expression in posters created by the Salesian shrine in Turin.

The background of the posters, featuring the dome of the Holy Sepulchre and the Cross of Mount Calvary, visually expresses this communion of prayer for peace in the Middle East. “And the message of goodwill from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, addressed to Christians in the Holy Land, which is featured on the poster, takes on even greater significance for us Christians living in the West,” explained Fr. Viviano.

“Easter, which we celebrate in the sign of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, reminds us that no darkness—not even that of war—can have the final word. The empty tomb is the seal of life’s victory over hatred, of mercy over sin. May this certainty illuminate our steps and sustain our hope,” reads the message quoted from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Reinforcing this message, Fr. Michele Viviano also renewed the strong call for peace made during the Angelus on Sunday, March 22, 2026, by the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, who stated on that occasion: “We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, defenseless victims of these conflicts. What wounds them wounds all of humanity. The death and suffering caused by these wars are a scandal for the whole human family and a cry before God! I strongly renew the appeal to persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and paths to peace—founded on sincere dialogue and respect for the dignity of every human person—may finally open.”

The Program of Celebrations

The journey will begin on March 29, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Masses will follow the Sunday schedule (8:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:00 p.m.), with the blessing of olive branches at the beginning of each Eucharistic celebration at the back of the Basilica.

From March 30 to April 1, the Basilica will offer extended opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A special event will take place on the evening of Tuesday, March 31, featuring a penitential liturgy and Easter greetings among members of the parish’s Educative and Pastoral Community, providing an opportunity to prepare one’s heart for Easter.

On April 2, Holy Thursday, the parish priestly community will attend the Chrism Mass at the Church of the Holy Face, presided over by Cardinal Roberto Repole. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians will begin at 6:30 p.m., presided over by the current Superior of the Special Circumscription of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta (ICP), Fr. Leonardo Mancini. The celebration will be streamed live by the Piedmont television network Rete7, followed by Eucharistic Adoration in the evening.

On April 3, Good Friday, the central celebration will be the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, presided over by Fr. Michele Viviano at 6:30 p.m., also streamed live by Rete7.

The Solemn Easter Vigil in the Basilica, the high point of the Easter Triduum, will take place at 9:00 p.m. on Holy Saturday, April 4, presided over by the parish priest, Fr. Guido Dutto.

Finally, on April 5, Easter Sunday, Masses will follow the major feast schedule, with seven Eucharistic celebrations throughout the day: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:00 p.m. There will also be Eucharistic Adoration and Second Vespers at 4:00 p.m.

In this way, the Basilica Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Turin aims to offer the entire community and the faithful a rich liturgical and spiritual program, while renewing spiritual closeness and prayer for the people living in the land where Jesus lived.