{"id":78407,"date":"2026-05-20T14:05:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T13:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spaziospadoni.org\/training-institutions\/confraternita-di-misericordia-di-orta-nova\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T09:03:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T08:03:30","slug":"confraternity-of-mercy-of-orta-nova","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/spaziospadoni.org\/en\/training-institutions\/confraternity-of-mercy-of-orta-nova\/","title":{"rendered":"Confraternity of Mercy of Orta Nova"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Confraternity of Mercy of Orta Nova is a voluntary association that is part of the Confraternities of Mercy Movement, founded in 1244 in Florence by Pietro da Verona, later Saint Peter Martyr. Today the Confraternities of Mercy are present in Italy and abroad with over 700 Confraternities.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Logo<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

History<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Confraternity of Mercy of Orta Nova was founded on December 12, 1992, through the will of some members, already protagonists of a previous non-religious association. The Confraternity of Mercy of Orta Nova is recognized as a Confraternity by the Bishop of the Diocese of Cerignola-Ascoli Satriano, who appoints the parish priest of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes in Orta Nova as Father Corrector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step concerns the transformation of the complex that hosts the Confraternity of Mercy from an abandoned, crumbling ruin, a den of animals and weeds, into a well-organized and efficient structure, with an operations center and rooms for training and courses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 1993 to 1996, during the summer period, the Confraternity of Mercy hosted more than 150 non-EU citizens per year, offering them a bed, a hot meal, the use of bathrooms with showers and a space to pray according to their religion, restoring their dignity as human beings. In the meantime, many initiatives were held to gather support among the youngest, future volunteers, conscientious objectors and members of the Confraternity of Mercy, such as the organization of prevention and first-aid courses in lower and upper secondary schools and fundraisers to be allocated to charitable works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2001, after numerous efforts, the Confraternity reached the solemn Vestition.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Additional<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For the first time in the history of the Confraternity of Mercy of Orta Nova, 21 volunteers wore the historical robe and, on that occasion, the statue of the Virgin Mary and her little chapel built in the garden of the headquarters were consecrated and blessed. Every year, the most deserving volunteers are offered a trip to Lourdes and\/or participation in WYD to thank them for the work carried out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For ten years, the Confraternity of Mercy has organized a 5-day summer school camp, where children and young people rediscover contact with nature and are introduced to some concepts on emergencies and Civil Protection, through meetings with the Fire Brigade, the Navy and the Jacotenente Aeronautical Detachment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Confraternity of Mercy of Orta Nova is fortunate to have one of its fellow townsmen, Don Gaetano Di Pierro, who left as a missionary for Madagascar 50 years ago. On April 24, 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop; in 2006 Pope Benedict XVI called him to be Bishop of Moramanga and in 2018, with Pope Francis, he became Bishop of Farafangana. From Madagascar, the Bishop remains in close contact with the Confraternity of Mercy and, during his visits to Italy, never misses an opportunity to meet the Confraternity. The presence of Don Gaetano offers the opportunity to organize catechesis and training sessions that have also personally connected the volunteers to this mission, so much so that in 2022 many took action following the floods that struck the Malagasy population.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Activities<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n