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, and has found visual expression in the posters designed by the Salesian sanctuary in Turin.

The background of the posters, featuring the dome of the Holy Sepulchre and the Cross of Mount Calvary, also visually evokes this communion of prayer for peace in the Middle East. “And the message of goodwill from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Perbattista Pizzaballa, addressed to the Christians of the Holy Land, which is featured on the poster, takes on greater resonance 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 last word. The empty tomb is the seal of life’s victory over hatred, of mercy over sin. Let this certainty illuminate our steps and sustain our hope ” is the statement quoted from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

And to reinforce his message, Father Viviano also renews the strong call for peace made during the Angelus on Sunday, 22 March 2026, by the Holy Father Leo XIV, who on that occasion had stated, “We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, defenceless victims of these conflicts. What wounds them wounds the whole of humanity. The death and pain 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 up”.

The programme of celebrations

The journey will begin on 29 March, Palm Sunday and the Lord’s Passion. Masses will follow the festive timetable (8:00, 12:30, 17:00, 18:30, 21:00 – UTC+1), with the blessing of olive branches at the start of each Eucharistic celebration, at the back of the Basilica.

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

On 2 April, Holy Thursday, the parish priestly community will attend the Chrism Mass at the Church of the Holy Face, presided over by Cardinal Roberto Repole; whilst the Mass of the Coena Domini in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians will begin at 18:30 (UTC+2), 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 thanks to the Piedmontese television network Rete7. Finally, the evening will feature Eucharistic Adoration.

On 3 April, Good Friday, the highlight of the day will be the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, presided over by the Rector, Fr Michele Viviano, at 6.30 pm. The celebration will be streamed live thanks to the Piedmontese television network Rete7.

Meanwhile, the Solemn Easter Vigil in the Basilica, presided over by the parish priest, Fr Guido Dutto, the culminating moment of the Easter Triduum, will take place at 9.00 pm on Holy Saturday, 4 April.

Finally, on 5 April, Easter Sunday, Masses will follow the schedule for major celebrations, with seven Eucharistic services throughout the day: 8.00 am, 9.30 am, 11.00 am, 12.30 pm, 5.00 pm, 6.30 pm, 9.00 pm – and there will also be time for Eucharistic Adoration and Second Vespers at 4.00 pm.

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