When the first Salesian missionaries departed in 1875, no technological methods had yet been applied to study the Shroud. It wasn’t until 1898 that Secondo Pia, a lawyer from Asti like Don Bosco, convinced the Church authorities to photograph it. He became the first person astonished by what appeared in the photographic negative: a clearly visible face and full body—powerful evidence of crucifixion, in line with Gospel accounts.

At the end of a century marked by the rise of pure reason and technological progress, one of its very own tools—the camera—was instrumental in shifting the Shroud from being solely an object of pious tradition to becoming a subject of scientific inquiry and deep reflection for believers and non-believers alike.

Just as they did during the early expansion of the Congregation, the Salesians today continue to be ambassadors of the Shroud around the world. In 2002, for instance, when Cardinal Severino Poletto, then Archbishop of Turin, visited fidei donum priests (gift of faith -missionary priests) from his diocese in Brazil and Argentina, the Salesians who welcomed him asked numerous questions about the latest research confirming, with reasonable certainty, the Shroud’s origins in first-century Palestine.

This connection was renewed again recently, this time right at the foot of the urn containing the Shroud, with the current Archbishop of Turin, Monsignor Roberto Repole. He invited the Salesian Chapter Members to an evening of prayer at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Friday, April 5, 2025, during Lent.

The spiritual atmosphere was intense as 250 Salesians gathered before what Pope Benedict XVI once called “the mystery of Holy Saturday.” Pope Francis' words, spoken ten years ago in that very cathedral, deeply resonated with the themes of the current General Chapter focused on youth—especially those wounded by violence and injustice:
“The Shroud draws us to the tortured face and body of Jesus, and at the same time pushes us toward the face of every suffering and unjustly persecuted person.”

Gian Maria Zaccone, Director of the International Center of Shroud Studies, offered a message to the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard, who led the pilgrimage:
“Tonight’s celebration at the Cathedral gives me the opportunity to express to you and to all the Salesians in the Chapter, my deep gratitude for all that the Salesian Family has done—and continues to do—to share the image of the Shroud around the world.

Our Study Center, which serves the Archbishop and the Papal Custodian, has long benefited from the contribution of many Salesians as researchers and communicators. In recent years, we’ve strengthened our collaboration with the Salesian Pontifical University to develop educational programs that promote a deeper understanding of the Shroud. Just today, we concluded a six-part monographic course at the Turin-Crocetta section, attended by around 250 participants. We are pleased to offer you the freshly printed volume of proceedings as a token of our appreciation.

Lastly, it brings us joy to gift you with a linen reproduction of the Shroud face (from the ‘Lino Val Gandino’ project), which we hope will become as familiar to you as it was to Don Bosco.”

All official photos of the 29th General Chapter (CG29) are available on Flickr. 

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