Rome (Italy). On 11 October 2025, a group of 70 pilgrims from the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) in Turin reached Rome to participate in the Jubilee of Marian spirituality.
The first ADMA group (Primary ADMA) was founded by Don Bosco in 1869 in Valdocco, to spread the faith among the Christian people and demonstrate gratitude for the graces that people attributed to Mary Help of Christians during the construction of the Basilica. This is why today this group has a strong and vital bond with the Basilica and plays an animation role for the entire Association worldwide.
The pilgrims arrived directly at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where Sister Lucrecia Uribe, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, ADMA world spiritual animator, was waiting for them, to reach the Holy Door together on pilgrimage. There, in an atmosphere of prayer, they renewed their faith and gained the plenary indulgence. Each of them had prepared spiritually with Confession, Communion, and prayer according to the Pope’s intentions, as well as carrying out works of charity.
After a prayerful pause before the tomb of Pope Francis, the group went to the headquarters of the Salesian Congregation, to participate in the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime and concelebrated by Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, Fr. Roberto Carelli, and Fr. Gabriel Cruz, SDB.
Sunday 12 October, the pilgrims attended the Eucharist in St. Peter’s Square presided over by Pope Leo XIV, for the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality. In many of those present, the profound and universal message underlined by the Vicar of Christ in the homily resonated. “’Remember Jesus Christ’. This alone counts; this makes the difference between human spiritualities and the way of God.”
Marian spirituality is, in fact, a return to the heart of the Gospel. Mary does not keep her gaze on herself, but directs it towards Jesus. “Mary’s path is behind Jesus, and Jesus’ path is towards every human being, especially towards those who are poor, wounded, sinful. For this reason, authentic Marian spirituality makes the tenderness of God, her motherhood, relevant in the Church,” the Holy Father reminded.
ADMA wishes to take seriously the Pope’s invitation to rediscover a faith that does not hide behind prestigious armor, but which allows itself to be transformed by the tenderness and humility of Mary of Nazareth, the Woman who believed and who made possible the Incarnation of Love.
After lunch, the Turin pilgrims returned home with the commitment to prolong this Jubilee in everyday life, as a time of renewal, restitution, and hope, with their hearts open to the poor, the wounded, those the world considers “lepers”.
