On 21 May 2015, the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta Fra’ Matthew Festing and members of the Sovereign Council participated in the pilgrimage organized for the veneration of the Holy Shroud in the Turin Cathedral. Many of the Order of Malta’s Italian delegations took part in this event, accompanying the malades they assist.

The visit to the cathedral was preceded by a mass celebrated by the Order’s Cardinal Patronus, Raymond Leo Burke, in the Church of San Domenico in Turin.

The last Veneration took place only five years ago, but Pope Francis wanted to offer a new opportunity for the bicentenary of the birth of St. John Bosco. The Shroud will remain on show until 24 June next, when it is expected that over three million pilgrims will have contemplated the precious cloth, considered one of the most important Christian icons.

During the entire period of the Veneration, the Order of Malta’s Italian Corps is providing a first-aid service with its volunteers.

Photographs © Filippo Valfré di Bonzo