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(article by Cesi Colli) Sunday 25 September, the parish of Bedero Valcuviaunited with the communities of Ferrera, Rancio, Masciago and Cassanocelebrated in a festive setting the feast of her Madonnathe Virgin of S. Rosarywhich has its roots in a long tradition.
It is undoubtedly one of the main events in the life of the Bederese community, which lived it in a beautiful and heartfelt way, combining liturgical celebrations with moments of leisure, which were prepared with care and attention by the parish volunteers because the feast must also be context of meeting and sharing.
After the persistent rain on Saturday, scanning the sky since the morning, we were accompanied by a cautious optimism because it seemed that the sun would peep out. And so it was!
Our community has always considered this anniversary the feast of “women”, which corresponds for S. Antonio in January that of the “men”. Once there were the “sisters”, whose spirituality was born from the veneration of the Virgin of the Rosary and for a woman of the village it was “an honor” to collect her offerings on the occasion of her feast. Today most of them are elderly and unfortunately they have been unable to pass on their precious service to the younger generations. So today the envelopes with the offers to financially support the needs of the parish were delivered by the faithful directly to the church.
The celebrations began with the three days of prayer of the Triduum (St. Rosary and Litany) because to venerate Mary means to recall to the hearts and minds of the faithful the living witness of faith and charity of our caring mother.
Saturday was entirely dedicated to the Holy Confessions.
On Sunday the solemn Holy Mass was celebrated in the Parish Church of S. Ilario, presided over by the parish priest Don Enrico Broggini and accompanied by the songs of the Bederese choir, directed by Martina Ambrosini, accompanied by Luigi Toma on the organ. We prayed in front of the beautiful statue of Marywhich was recently restored to its former glory by Angelo Cadeithe fine Bederese craftsman, who recently passed away, who has always made himself available in the restoration and embellishment of his church.
A great moment of celebration was the “lunch together”, which marked the reopening of the kitchen of the oratory, closed due to the covid. With great simplicity, the community gathered around large tables, where everyone found a place: it is at the table that the relationship becomes sharing. People face each other with their individuality, with their faces, and by sharing food, they also share their lives.
In the afternoon, after the Song of Vespers, the procession through the streets of the town with the statue of the Madonna: as she passed and proceeded, Maria seemed to want to involve people in faith, prayer, devotion, to hold everyone in her arms and not leave anyone on the street.
Moving and joyful at the same time the very special moment of the consecration of children to Our Ladyan invisible but impenetrable protective shield from evil, which makes them his children, protects them and makes them grow, like Jesus, in age, wisdom and grace.
To finish a cheerful popular festival with games (from fishing to guessing the weight of the parish priest and his helpers!), And with the charm of the baskets “, that is the” Symbols of Generosity “of the Bederesi, who in all these years has never failed and has allowed many beautiful achievements in the parish. Each basket was auctioned: many small figures that made a large figure !!
Once again “the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary” testified that we are a living community, which celebrates walking behind Mary to rediscover the profound reasons for her being a community and to show the friendship and respect that unites us.
On Monday a Holy Mass was celebrated for the dead: it is significant to link the patronal feast to their memory because through Mary, a sure reference of intercession, we can express our gratitude for those who, after having been a living part of the community, now live in the communion of saints. (Photo by Luca Luppi)