“A short life, but a wonderful message. Nineteen years full of life, love and faith. Two years, the last ones, also full of suffering, but always lived in love and light: a light that radiated around her and came from within, from her heart filled with God.”
These are some of the words spoken by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 to a group of young Italians about Chiara “Luce” Badano, a young member of the Focolare Movement. Pope Benedict frequently presented her as a shining example for young people, emphasising how her short but intense life demonstrated that a full and happy life does not depend on good health or the number of years we live, but on our encounter with God. He repeatedly encouraged people to discover her story.

The Chiara Badano Foundation, a non-profit organisation, was established in 2011 to preserve Chiara’s memory and keep her story alive. Throughout the world, 29th October, Chiara’s birthday, is a day of remembrance. In particular, in Sassello, Italy, her birthplace, the Feast Day is celebrated with events open to everyone and live streams available worldwide.

For over thirty years, the community and Chiara’s friends have gathered in this small town in northern Italy to remember the young “Blessed”. Chiara died on 7th October 1990, and this deeply rooted tradition began long before 2010, when the Church officially established her liturgical feast day.

This year, too, Sassello is preparing to welcome pilgrims and visitors from around the world with a rich programme of events. For those unable to attend in person, all the main activities will be streamed live on the official website of the Chiara Badano Foundation.

Programme for the Day

All times are local Italian time.

From 10:00 am – Welcome and cultural activities

Visitors will be able to enter Chiara’s home and visit the bedroom of Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano.

At the Foundation’s headquarters, the official video “A Story of Light” will also be shown, with audio available in Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Bulgarian.

The children’s book “A Luminous Life” by Giovanna Poggi, illustrated by Bruno Dolif, will then be presented, including via live stream. This will be followed by an open conversation with the author.
12 noon – “Time Out” for Peace

Friends of Chiara will gather at the cemetery, at the Badano family chapel, for a shared minute of silence to pray for peace throughout the world. The event will be streamed live.

3:30 pm – Solemn Mass and award announcements
A solemn Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Sassello, presided over by His Excellency Bishop Luigi Testore, Bishop of Acqui and Alessandria.

This will be followed by the announcement of the winners of the 2025–2026 Chiara Luce Badano Solidarity Award, which recognises youth groups and organisations engaged in solidarity projects in the social, healthcare and environmental fields. The winnersof the 2025–2026 Chiara Luce Badano Art Award will also be announced, with the ceremony streamed live. This award is for young artists who have created a work of art inspired by the life and values of Blessed Chiara.

Lorenzo Russo