Italy – Mary Help of Christians, the Feast of the Gratitude of the City of Turin

24 May 2017

(ANS – Turin) – “This feast, which every year gathers us at the feet of Mary Help of Christians as the Church of Turin – and therefore as the Christian, but also as the civil community of the city of Turin – is to us the feast of gratitude”. With these words Msgr. Cesare Nosiglia, Archbishop of Turin, commenced his homily on the occasion of the solemn Eucharistic Concelebration he presided over this morning, May 24th, at the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco, Turin.

In a Basilica packed with people, Msgr. Nosiglia recalled how the faithful always honoured and venerated Mary with feelings of filial devotion, seeing her as “the Mother of consolation and hope for their history and their future”.

Because of this, in his homily the Prelate entrusted to Mary the entire population of the city and the challenges they face: the forthcoming diocesan assembly of the youth, i.e. of those “who are called to be responsible for the spiritual, human and social renewal of the Church and of the world”; the pastoral journey of the Diocese; the commitment of priests, deacons, religious and lay people; the sick and suffering, “always beloved by her motherly heart”; and also “all those who toil to face and solve social problems”.

Archbishop Nosiglia also entrusts to the care of Mary Help of Christians those who devote themselves to life - “all those who do all they can to always safeguard the reception and respect of every person, from the first moment of their conception until their natural end” – and those who work for reception – “without discriminating against anyone because of their nationality, culture, ethnicity or religion”.

In the end, the Prelate entrusts to the Virgin the many martyrs of our time “so that their sacrifice may become leaven of life and peace for all”.

Walking all together, under the mantle of Mary Help of Christians, it will be possible to attain true communion, which is “a gift of God, but which also demands, for its edification, the continuous effort of all the baptized”.

The celebration in Turin continues today with two important events: at 18.30 (GMT+2), the solemn concelebration, presided over by Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major, and animated by the Choir of the Oratory of Valdocco; and at 20.30 the solemn procession with the statue of May Help of Christians along the streets of Turin, presided over by Msgr. Nosiglia.

These celebrations can be followed online all over the world thanks to live streaming on site www.missionidonbosco.org and on www.sdb.org and via satellite on Telepace HD (sky channel 515).

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