(ANS – Turin) – The devotion of the entire Salesian community to “Don Bosco’s Madonna” was once again evident during the Feast of Mary Help of Christians celebrated at Valdocco on Sunday, May 24, 2026, the Solemnity of Pentecost. The solemn Masses, the church consistently filled to capacity, the orderly and prayerful flow of pilgrims, the inspiration of the homilies, the traditional procession, and even a new feature this year—the fireworks display—all contributed to making the day memorable and worthy of the Salesian Family’s heartfelt homage to Mary, the powerful Help of Christians.

The celebrations had already begun the previous day, Saturday, May 23, with spiritual celebrations and symbolic gestures of great significance. The Rosary and evening Mass were accompanied by a spectacular tribute from the Turin Fire Brigade, who placed floral wreaths on the statues of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and on the Virgin Mary atop the basilica domes. The evening also included an overnight prayer vigil to the Holy Spirit centered on the theme: “Devoted to prayer with one accord, together with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus” (Acts 1:14).

The vigil, opened with First Vespers of Pentecost and led by the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, featured a penitential liturgy, Rosary, nighttime Mass, hymns and prayers, musical interludes accompanied by harpist Eleonora Savio, and the launch of a new virtual tour of the basilica.

Throughout May 24, an atmosphere of joyful excitement filled Valdocco. Pilgrims, religious, and devotees of every nationality, age, and background crowded the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians and the surrounding courtyards to participate in the day’s many celebrations, which included seven Masses.

At the principal morning Mass at 11 a.m., following liturgies celebrated by representatives of partner institutions such as the Cottolengo and the Major Seminary of Turin, as well as the Mass presided over by the Superior of the Salesians of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta, Fr. Leonardo Mancini, the principal celebrant was Cardinal Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin and Bishop of Susa.

In his homily, reflecting on the Gospel of John proclaimed to the assembly, Cardinal Repole explained that Pentecost—the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—“is nothing other than the full unfolding, in the life of the Church, of Christ’s Easter.”

Receiving the Holy Spirit, he continued, means “being grafted onto the Risen Christ” and therefore participating “from this moment onward in the energies of the Resurrection.” Christ’s appearance among the disciples gathered in prayer with Mary in the Upper Room demonstrates that His power now knows no limits or boundaries: “there is now no place, nor situation in which He is not present.”

This reality also becomes a mission for the “men and women of Pentecost” who have received the Spirit: to continue without reservation the mission of Jesus, the mission He Himself received from the Father.

Cardinal Repole concluded that Pentecost means Christians are always “in the presence of the Risen Christ,” never alone and no longer victims of fear, but instead called to embrace the divine mission to live “His mission,” not their own.

In the afternoon, following the blessing of the young people, Adoration, Second Vespers, and another Mass, the 11th Successor of Don Bosco, Fr. Fabio Attard, presided over a Mass dedicated specifically to members of the Salesian Youth Movement.

In his homily, the Rector Major reflected on the coincidence of the Solemnity of Pentecost with the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, describing it as a “provocation” that invites the faithful to see not only the mystery of the Holy Spirit’s descent, but also the mystery of Mary, “with new eyes.”

He encouraged young people to look to Mary as their model and to follow her through three key movements that shaped her life: “entrusting oneself, surrendering, and allowing oneself to be guided.”

The first movement—entrusting oneself—is not “a passive surrender.” “Mary does not cease to be the protagonist of her own story,” he explained. “Rather, she becomes fully so precisely at the moment when she chooses no longer to hold it in her own hands.”

Likewise, surrender “is not passive resignation,” but a mature response from someone who understands “that the truest life is not built by oneself, but is received.” In this way, life becomes a sacred space because “something greater enters my heart, my very existence.”

Finally, speaking about allowing oneself to be guided, Fr. Attard reflected on the transformation of the apostles, who moved from fearfully hiding in the Upper Room to boldly proclaiming the Kingdom after Pentecost. It was “the fire of the Spirit” that changed their hearts. “This is not spiritual romanticism; it is not a cruise—it is a cross,” he said. “Yet it is the most liberating thing that can happen.”

Concluding his reflection, Don Bosco’s 11th Successor invited the young people to “learn from Mary the three essential movements of Christian life: to entrust ourselves with determination, to surrender with wisdom, and to allow ourselves to be guided with great joy. Because life is a gift entrusted to us by God, and when we cling to this gift as though it were our own property, we suffocate it. But if we entrust it to God, as Mary did, we see it blossom and flourish.”

Following the homily, the faithful joined devotees gathered in the square in front of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, along with Oratory and parish groups from Salesian and ecclesial communities throughout Turin and the Piedmont region, to accompany the illuminated and flower-adorned statue of Mary Help of Christians in procession.

The traditional Marian procession concluded in front of the basilica amid hymns, songs, and prayers to Our Lady of Don Bosco, followed by a spectacular fireworks display, introduced this year to make the beloved Salesian celebration even more festive and accessible to all.

Speaking to ANS, the Rector of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Fr. Michele Viviano, expressed deep satisfaction with both the preparation and the extraordinary turnout of the faithful. After years marked by pandemic restrictions, he highlighted the peaceful and prayerful atmosphere that characterized the celebrations.

“It was very moving,” he said, “to see children, the elderly, people in wheelchairs, and huge crowds walking together in procession through the streets surrounding Valdocco, honoring and praying to Our Lady. It was a tangible image of the Church walking together in the simple and profound faith of the People of God.”

Fr. Viviano also emphasized that Mary Help of Christians continues to grant graces and signs of her presence today, just as she did in Don Bosco’s time. The faithful, he noted, continue to believe the words of the Saint of Youth: “Have faith in Mary Help of Christians and you will see what miracles are.” And this year once again in Valdocco, that promise seemed to resonate powerfully in every heart.