Mario Trematore: the Turin firefighter who saved the Holy Shroud from the fire "I had a non-human strength"

Trembling Mario is a name that is not known to many, but his feat in saving the Holy Shroud during the 1993 fire in Turin was heroic and noteworthy.

In 1993, to carry out some works in the Chapel of the Shroud, the sacred veil was moved to an armored case. Shortly before the end of the work, however, a fire broke out with a 25-metre high column of fire.

Upon the arrival of the firefighters, a work by Guarini it was about to be devoured by flames and the casket containing the Holy Shroud was exposed to pieces of incandescent material which fell on it.

From the balcony of his house, Mario sees a column of smoke coming from the Cathedral. Although he had no service obligations, he decided to wear an old jacket that he used to go to the mountains and a pair of boots. On the sleeve of his jacket Mario had sewn a fire brigade badge.

The heroic gesture of Mario Trematore

Arriving at the site, he found himself facing the scariest fire he had ever seen. The Chapel was literally melting under the flames. The firefighters tried to open the shrine of the Shroud, but failing to do so, they decided to shatter the glass. After about fifteen interminable minutes, he leaves the Chapel with his colleagues, carrying the linen sheet in his arms.

For the Cardinal John Saldarini the fact that the Shroud was saved was a sign of Providence, which wanted to launch a message of hope in this way.

Unfortunately, after that experience, Mario has not only received praise. People recognizing him on the street, greet him and shake his hand or insult him and kick him. Even some of his colleagues were inexplicably envious. What heartens the fireman are the letters from the missionary doctor of the Comboni Missionaries in northern Uganda who blesses him and thanks him for having saved the gift that God has left us all.