But this is more than an exhibition. It is a pilgrimage of the heart.
The Shroud of Turin has long captivated both believers and seekers, standing as one of the most powerful visual testimonies to the Passion of Christ. Woven into its enigmatic marks is a message that speaks to the soul: a message of love, suffering, and redemption. For the Salesian family, founded in Turin by St John Bosco, the Shroud holds special significance—not only as a relic rooted in their city of origin, but as a spiritual touchstone that has inspired generations of missionaries, educators, and faithful around the world.
From the humble beginnings of Don Bosco's Oratory in 19th-century Turin, devotion to the Shroud began to spread quietly yet steadily alongside the expansion of the Salesian mission. As the Salesians reached out across continents—to Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe—they carried with them not just a passion for education and youth, but also a deeply Marian and Christ-centred spirituality, in which contemplation of Christ's suffering played a central role.
The Shroud, enigmatic and veiled in mystery, offered a tangible way to draw young hearts closer to the suffering Christ—especially in the context of Holy Week. In communities where the Salesians served, replicas of the Shroud were displayed, meditations were held, and processions organized—all pointing back to that silent witness of the Crucified.
It is in this spirit that Teatru Salesjan, Malta’s own cornerstone of Salesian culture, presents this exhibition during the holiest week of the Christian calendar. Accompanying the Shroud display are a series of talks by Fr Savio Vella sdb, who will illuminate both the historical journey and the spiritual depth of the Shroud—inviting visitors to look not merely at the image, but to truly encounter the One who bore it.
On April 16 at 8:00 p.m., the panel discussion The Shroud as a Lens for Hope will take this journey even deeper. In a world often overwhelmed by pain and uncertainty, the Shroud becomes not only a symbol of suffering, but a profound sign of hope—a reminder that light always rises from darkness, and love from sacrifice.
Admission to this entire programme is free, and we warmly invite the hundreds of faith tourists visiting Malta this week to make this exhibition part of their Holy Week pilgrimage. Whether you come seeking answers, solace, or simply silence, Face to Face offers sacred ground where the heart can listen.
For more information and to reserve your seat, visit "tsmalta.com/events/facetoface/"
