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Explore Turin’s Rich Heritage of Saints and Relics
Turin, or Torino as it is called in Italian, is home to the legacy of great saints in the Catholic Church and most famously, the Shroud of Turin. This is the city of Pier Giorgio Frassati, who is about to be canonized this September, and St. John Bosco, who worked tirelessly to serve and uplift the dignity of youth and the poor. Our production crew at the EWTN Vatican Bureau has traveled to Turin multiple times to cover sites about these notable figures. Although it is not possible to see the real Shroud of Turin, we have given an inside look at the Museum of the Shroud closeby that offers in-depth analysis of the Shroud, scientific studies related to its authenticity, and impact on society and our knowledge of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Open the Map to find all the sites of the Shroud and the Saints of the city.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925) was a vibrant and adventurous young man known for his deep faith, love for the Eucharist, and devotion to the poor. Despite being born into a wealthy Italian family, he chose a life of humility and dedicated himself to serving those in need.
As a passionate mountaineer, Pier Giorgio often spent weekends and holidays hiking in the Alps with friends. For him, climbing was more than a sport—it was also a spiritual ascent, a way to challenge the body while lifting the soul toward God. He saw the mountains as places of beauty, silence, and intimacy with the Creator, and he often led companions in prayer at the summit. His motto, “Verso l’alto” (“To the heights”), became both a mountaineering slogan and a symbol of his pursuit of holiness. Frassati lived the Gospel in the ordinary rhythms of youth—through studies, sports, and friendships—proving that sanctity is possible at every stage of life.
Often called the “Man of the 8 Beatitudes,” he is a patron for modern youth, inspiring them to unite prayer with action and to serve with generosity. Despite his privileged upbringing, his life was marked by humility, charity, and an unwavering commitment to God. Pier Giorgio died at just 24, leaving behind a legacy that continues to call young people to climb higher—both on mountains and in the spiritual life. Today, Frassati's body is kept in the Cathedral of Turin.
Saint John Bosco
Saint John Bosco (1815–1888), commonly known as Don Bosco, was an Italian priest from Turin who dedicated his life to helping poor and at-risk youth, especially during the social and economic upheavals of the Industrial Revolution. He founded the Salesian Society, focusing on education, vocational training, and moral formation. He was also renowned for prophetic dreams, a strong Marian devotion, and numerous miracles during his lifetime.
Today, the Salesian Family serves in over 130 countries, continuing his mission of bringing hope and opportunity to youth through schools, parishes, orphanages, and technical training centers. His tomb in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin remains a major pilgrimage site, drawing thousands each year to honor his legacy.
Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo
Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo (1786–1842) was a priest who founded the Little House of Divine Providence in Turin. This institution provided shelter, medical care, and spiritual comfort to the poor, sick, and abandoned. He believed in total trust in God’s providence, often beginning projects without any funds, confident that donations would arrive when needed. Known for his tireless charity, he cared for people of all backgrounds, religions, and conditions. His community of volunteers and religious orders continues his work to this day. Canonized in 1934, he is remembered as a model of compassion in action. Cottolengo's relics are venerated in the Little House of Divine Providence in Turin.
Saint Giuseppe Allamano
Saint Giuseppe Allamano (1851–1926) was an Italian priest and the long-serving rector of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation (Santuario della Consolata) in Turin. Moved by a passion for evangelization, he founded the Consolata Missionaries in 1901 and the Consolata Missionary Sisters in 1910, sending priests, brothers, and sisters to bring the Gospel to Africa and later to other parts of the world. Under his guidance, the missionaries not only preached the faith but also established schools, medical centers, and development projects for local communities.
Beatified in 1990 by Pope John Paul II and canonized in 2022 by Pope Francis, he is honored as one of Turin’s most beloved spiritual leaders, whose legacy of Marian devotion and missionary outreach continues to bear fruit worldwide. Allamano's tomb is located in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation in Turin.
Saint Leonardo Murialdo
Saint Leonardo Murialdo (1828–1900) was an Italian priest who devoted his life to the education, moral guidance, and spiritual formation of working-class youth during the social challenges of the Industrial Revolution. Deeply concerned for young workers and apprentices, he founded the Congregation of Saint Joseph (Giuseppini del Murialdo) in 1873 to provide them with education, vocational training, and pastoral care.
His ministry included establishing homes, schools, and workshops, offering practical skills alongside Christian formation. A tireless advocate for social justice, he championed the dignity of laborers and defended the rights of the poor, anticipating many principles later outlined in Catholic social teaching. Canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970, Saint Leonardo Murialdo is remembered as a pioneer in Catholic social action and an enduring inspiration for educators, youth ministers, and social workers worldwide.
Murialdo’s remains rest in the Shrine of Saint Leonardo Murialdo, located within the General House of the Congregation of Saint Joseph in Turin.
The Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin is what many believe to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ, making it one of the most studied and venerated relics in Christianity. Kept in the Cathedral of Turin, the Shroud has inspired both deep devotion and ongoing debate.
Scientific examinations over the past century have yielded conflicting results—radiocarbon dating in 1988 suggested a medieval origin, while other studies, including pollen analysis, textile research, and image formation theories, point toward a much older, possibly first-century origin. Its documented history can be traced with certainty only to the 14th century, leaving its earlier journey shrouded in mystery and fueling centuries of intrigue.
The Shroud is displayed publicly only on rare occasions, usually by papal decree, drawing millions of pilgrims and visitors from around the world. For believers, it is not only a relic but one of the most powerful visual testimonies to the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ.
See Also:
Cathedral of Turin
The Cathedral of Turin, officially known as the Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista, is one of the most significant religious and historical landmarks in northern Italy. What truly sets the cathedral apart, however, is that it houses the Shroud of Turin, a linen cloth that many believe to be the burial shroud of Christ.
Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians
The Tomb of St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesian order, is buried in the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians in Turin. Today, it stands not only as a pontifical church but also as a major Marian shrine, home to around 6,000 relics.
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