The Fraternity of Mercy of Saint Francis of Massa is a voluntary association that forms part of the Confraternities of Mercy Movement, founded in Florence in 1244 by Pietro da Verona, later Saint Peter Martyr. Today, the Confraternities of Mercy are present in Italy and abroad with more than 700 confraternities.
History
From the words “The Lord is one, the Lord is our God; whoever believes in Him not only has eternal life but will do great things in His name”, the Confraternity of Mercy of Massa, founded in 1834 and dissolved for unknown reasons during the Second World War, was reborn. Its promoter and driving force was the Most Reverend Msgr Attilio Bertelloni who, thanks to his great faith in the good and merciful Father, succeeded in involving a large number of brothers in his mission. For years, Msgr Bertelloni had ardently desired the creation of this important work and anxiously sought the help of capable collaborators, but his search remained fruitless.
The Holy Spirit gave rise to the same desire in three people who met by chance in hospital in 1984 because of the serious illness of one of them. The sick man was Renato Ciuffi, and the friends who came to his aid were Ilvo Ricci and Desiderio Antonioli. In that place of suffering, they felt the need to establish an institution that would bring relief to those in tribulation, and so they began to discuss carrying out this work. Renato Ciuffi was soon called to the Father’s house, but his friends continued to cultivate the seed that had been planted during those painful days.
In September of the same year, the Spirit of God brought the two friends and Msgr Bertelloni together in front of the Church of Saint Sebastian in Massa. The three went down to the bookshop of the Pauline Sisters, and there Msgr Attilio delivered his peremptory message to the other two: “Lads, we must bring the Confraternity of Mercy of Massa into being”. Their reply was: “That is what we want”.
From that moment, the three set to work and soon became seven, then in a short time ten, twenty, forty and sixty, until they formed a cohesive group pursuing a common and shared goal. The Bishop of the Diocese, Msgr Aldo Forzoni, welcomed the small group of brothers kindly and addressed them with these words: “Be cautious, my children, but go forward; I am with you”.
The first group meeting was convened by means of a mimeographed leaflet signed “a group of friends”. Contacts were established with the leaders of the Confraternity of Mercy of Florence and other sister Confraternities of Mercy in order to learn about their journey, experience and organisation and transfer them to the emerging Association. The first typed draft of the Statutes was prepared and delivered to all the participating friends. The Constituent Assembly of the Fraternity met on 3 February 1985 in the Great Hall of the Episcopal Seminary, with 68 members attending, in the presence of the National Vice-President of the Confraternities of Mercy, Dr Francesco Giannelli.
Msgr Tommasi, Bishop of Massa, supported the initiative with these words: “I applaud the initiative to formally establish the Venerable Association of the Fraternity of Mercy in the city of Massa as well; it is significant that Sunday 3 February, which the Italian Church dedicates to life, was chosen for its establishment. May the commitment of the Confraternity of Mercy be a service to life, supporting the values of fraternity, charity and service. May the Lord bless this initiative of yours”.
After the discussion, it was decided to give the Association the name “Fraternity of Mercy of Saint Francis of Massa”.
On 6 February, during the first meeting of the Governing Council, Bruno Paolini was appointed president. At that point, a space was needed for meetings and to begin the work. For this initial period, Msgr Giorgetti generously offered half of his office located in the Saint Sebastian Auditorium.
The Council, now established, presented the Fraternity to the religious and civil authorities and enthusiastically began its journey with preparatory courses for assisting the sick in hospital and at home, first aid (doctors, stretcher-bearers and drivers), assistance to prisoners, people with disabilities and the elderly, as well as civil protection courses.
Activities
- 118 MEDICAL SERVICE
- ASSISTANCE TO PRISONERS
- ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE ELDERLY
- TRANSPORT OF INJURED AND SICK PEOPLE
- CIVIL PROTECTION
- SOCIAL AND HEALTHCARE TRANSPORT
- FUNERAL SERVICES
Contacts
Viale Roma 33 - 54100 Massa (MS)
Tel. +39058543742
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