Santiago (Chile). On 6 September 2025, with the motto, “Let’s walk with Laura in this jubilee year, let’s discover faith, let’s transform our lives”, on Cerro Colorado, in the municipality of Renca, the 37 years since the beatification of Blessed Laura Vicuña and the 25 years since the foundation of the Ecological Sanctuary that bears her name and spreads her spirituality were commemorated.
In the context of the Jubilee Year, the Blessed Laura Vicuña Foundation, together with the Youth Ministry team of the Saint Gabriel Archangel Province (CIL), organized this pilgrimage which, like every year, brought together children, adolescents, young people, families, and educators to walk together following the example of Laura Vicuña. The goal was to discover and deepen faith through reflection and prayer, promoting unity, joy, and personal commitment that transform life.
Delegations from parishes and chapels of the Archdiocese of Santiago participated, together with groups from the Salesian Family and Educating Communities of the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from Linares, Talca, Molina, Santa Cruz, Los Andes, Valparaíso, and Santiago.
Along the way, the Eucharist was celebrated, a source of grace and strength, presided over by Monsignor Alberto Lorenzelli, SDB, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santiago.
First station: “Let’s walk with Laura”
Located in the Ermita district, it was animated by the Salesian Youth Movement and all the intentions that motivated the pilgrims to live this experience of faith and hope were collected.
Second station: “Strengthen your faith”
Curated by the Youth Ministry of the Laura Vicuña High School of La Cisterna, it took place at the access porch to the Sanctuary. Each pilgrim received a cross as a sign, in memory of the unshakable faith of the young Blessed.
Third station: “Transform your life”
Animated by the Educating Community of Santa Teresita High School in Talca, the pilgrims experienced the rite of forgiveness. Throughout the Eucharist, nine priests were available for the celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Subsequently, under the tent of the Ecological Sanctuary and at the singing of the Gloria, the celebration of the Eucharist continued. In the homily, Bishop Lorenzelli emphasized youthful holiness, taking Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati as examples, and affirmed regarding Laura Vicuña:
“Laura has given us a profound example of simple, serene, and heroic holiness. Today she invites us to reflect on the true meaning of Christian life, which does not lie in length of years, but in the quality of generous giving to God. One of the fundamental elements of Laura’s life was her devotion to the Eucharist. She found in Mass and daily Communion the strength to face the harshest trials. She teaches us that it is in contact with Jesus in the Eucharist that we find true strength.”
At the end of the celebration, Sister Marisol González Araya, Provincial and President of the Blessed Laura Vicuña Foundation, thanked each pilgrim for their participation and recalled that “Walking together with Laurita, we all discover that being happy means living by doing everyday things as God wants.”
This family pilgrimage was made possible by the work and generosity of many people and institutions, including the Municipality of Renca, the Board of Directors of Blessed Laura Vicuña Foundation, the Educating Communities, Parapente Audiovisual, TV Católica de Chile, the Red Cross, the Civil Protection, the Carabinieri, as well as volunteers and benefactors.
Photos: Flickr FMA Chile
