Chile - 16th pilgrimage to the shrine of Laura Vicuña: transforming pain into love
Cerro Colorado, Chile - September 2023 - The 16th pilgrimage to the shrine of Laura Vicuña took place on 2 September, at Cerro Colorado, in the municipality of Renca, to commemorate the 35th anniversary of her beatification. With the motto "Where there is life I find you", young people, families and pilgrims belonging to the FMA educational communities, the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), the municipality of Renca and various church groups came to the shrine of Blessed Laura Vicuña to renew the invitation to live the holiness of youth, ask for her intercession, as well as to share a festive space with Sister Phyllis Neves, FMA Visitor. The concluding Eucharist of the pilgrimage was celebrated by Cardinal Celestino Aós, Archbishop of Santiago, and concelebrated by the Salesian Provincial of Chile, Fr Carlo Lira. During his homily, Cardinal Aós referred to Laura Vicuña's life, faith and legacy: 'There was much pain in Laura's life, but she was able to transform pain into love. She was a good student, a positive leader and offers us an impressive testimony that moves and challenges us. She tells us that one can love, in prayer she felt loved by God. She found help in the preventive system". Hundreds of people followed the event broadcast live on YouTube.