(ANS - Turin) – News received yesterday: The diocese of Turin has scheduled an extraordinary exposition of the Shroud during the year of the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco(2015). The Shroud is the linen which according to tradition was wrapped around the body of Jesus after the Crucifixion. The special exposition will take place during the spring and it is possible that Pope Francis will come to Turin for the occasion.

The announcement was made by the Archbishop of Turin, Mons. Nosiglia, during a press conference called at short notice - just the day before - to announce "important notices about upcoming events relating to the Church of Turin and the Subalpine region."

The archbishop of Turin said very clearly that the exposition is closely linked to the bicentenary of Don Bosco: "I recently received from the Secretary of State of the Holy See a communication of the Holy Father’s assent to this public exhibition as part of the celebrations for the bicentenary of the birth of St. John Bosco, Father and Teacher of youth, whose fruitful charism is now more relevant and alive than ever,  in the works initiated by him and in the service that his sons and daughters of the Salesian Congregation perform on behalf of the universal Church."

Fr Stefano Martoglio, Provincial of the Special Circumscription of Piedmont-Val d'Aosta, expressed his appreciation of this close collaboration between the diocese and the Salesians. This extraordinary exposition is "a coming together of good things and a great opportunity for all to grow in the faith".

The last exhibition occurred in the spring of 2010. Five years later, the Shroud will again be exposed for the veneration of the faithful. Benedict XVI came to revere it in 2010, and there is real hope that the Holy Father Pope Francis will come to Turin in 2015. "We are confident that Pope Francis may come to pray before the Holy Shroud and to honour St. John Bosco, thus sealing an extraordinary year for our ecclesial and civil communities,” said Archbishop Nosiglia.  “The Holy Father has accepted our invitation and that of the Salesians, but for now there is no date.”

The exposition is scheduled for a period of about 45 days between Easter and the end of the celebrations of the bicentenary of Don Bosco. It will coincide with the World Exposition 2015 in Milan and may well be an opportunity for growth in spirituality and faith also for many visitors arriving in Italy from abroad.

Published 12/05/2013