Italy – Valdocco prepares to celebrate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians

In 2026, the Feast will coincide with the Solemnity of Pentecost, thus recalling that Mary was also present in the Upper Room with the Apostles (cf. Acts 1:14). The liturgical solemnity will then be celebrated the following day, Monday 25 May 2026.

This year’s programme, as explained by the Rector of the Basilica himself, Fr Michele Vivano, will feature some special elements. First of all, it will open on Saturday 23 May at 3 pm with a floral tribute – made possible thanks to the Turin Fire Brigade – to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, situated on the two bell domes, and to Our Lady in the central dome. Also on the same day, starting at 8.15 pm, the virtual tour of the Basilica is scheduled to be launched.

Finally, in addition to the traditional celebrations, attended by civil and military authorities, an event already successfully organised last year will be repeated: a ‘night-time marathon’: 12 hours with Mary, invoking the Holy Spirit and asking for the gift of peace. It begins at 7 pm with First Vespers presided over by the Rector Major, Fr Fabio Attard, and concludes on the morning of 24 May with the first Sunday Mass.

The programme of celebrations will also be attended by the Auxiliary Bishop of Turin, Bishop Alessandro Giraudo, who will preside over the first Mass on the eve, at 6 pm on Saturday 23 May. The Archbishop of Turin, Cardinal Roberto Repole, will instead celebrate the 11.00 am Mass on Sunday 24 May, in the presence of civil and military authorities.

Sunday 24 May will also feature another eagerly awaited event: the Mass for the young people of the Salesian Youth Movement, which will be presided over by the Rector Major, Fr Fabio Attard. At the end, Don Bosco’s Successor, together with His Eminence Cardinal Roberto Repole, will lead the traditional procession through the streets of Valdocco.

Further information is available on the two posters at the bottom of the page.