Varallo: Maurizio Broglia Patron is the newly elected president of the association who is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary. New board for the Friends of Lourdes «At work for the“ Golden Pilgrimage ”».
Maurizio Broglia Patron at the helm of the Friends of Lourdes in Varallo
A new board for the “Friends of Lourdes – Gemma Cosotti”. In the meeting in the oratory in Varallo on Thursday 15 September, the association renewed its leadership and elected the president. The position is held by Maurizio Broglia Patron, supported by the vice president Gianni Bertona, “keeping in mind the purpose of our association, which is not just to organize a pilgrimage every two years with the sick to Lourdes – writes the provost in a note Don Roberto Collarini -, but certainly also to continue living in our daily life the Marian spirituality drawn from the sanctuary.
It was thought, then, that it will be very important in these two years that separate us from the “Golden Pilgrimage”, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the association (1974-2024) to offer pilgrims, volunteers and the sick various opportunities meeting to revive the journey of our group.
Some moments of prayer will also be organized open to the other ecclesial associations of Varese, some moments of reflection will be proposed, with testimonies from Lourdes and some days of conviviality to further strengthen our relationships and to re-motivate our adhesion to the spirit that underlies our associative life. We are also planning to organize some pilgrimages to Marian shrines (to be done during the day). In short, we gladly get back together on the journey, entrusting ourselves to the maternal guidance of Our Lady of Lourdes and of Saint Bernadette ».
The president introduces himself
The new president Broglia Patron takes the opportunity to introduce himself and make known the aims of the association, recalling that «the first Valsesian trip was born in 1974 at the behest of Don Ercole Scolari, provost of Varallo, who wanted to break away from the diocesan Oftal. This fact stimulates us to prepare for an important stage because next year is the fiftieth anniversary of the first pilgrimage. The association was born juridically in 1991 and was dedicated to Gemma Cosotti.
The friends of Lourdes are present in the area to participate in liturgical celebrations, to make themselves known, in addition to raise funds in order to help the less well-off to participate in the pilgrimage. To this end you will find us engaged in many initiatives and activities in the Valsesian territory. We are open to welcome all those who want to help us for the common good. I address you young people in a special way, these experiences will change the awareness of your future life. A hug to all of you, and may the Madonna protect us ».
The board of the Friends of Lourdes with the new president Maurizio Broglia Patron (in the front row second from the right)
“In these two years that separate us from the 50th anniversary of the foundation, we want to offer pilgrims, sick people and volunteers various opportunities to meet to revive the journey of our Group”
Maurizio Broglia Patron at the helm of the Friends of Lourdes in Varallo