Presentation of book – Oratorio di Santa Maria delle Grazie

As the sun set behind the Apuane Alps on a balmy summer evening, approximately 100 people gathered under and around the stone portico of the Chiesa di San Giusto at Tiglio Alto, for the presentation of the book on the history of the Oratorio di Santa Maria delle Grazie by Dr. Sara Moscardini.

The Mayor of Barga, Marco Bonini, opened his remarks thanking the individuals of the community of Tiglio, and The Fraternity of the Misericordia of Tiglio, led by Leonello Diversi, for taking it upon themselves to take the initiative to restore a valuable asset and patrimony of the territory, which, in these difficult fiscal times, he pointed out, the comune cannot even do.

Assessore for Culture Signora Giovanna Stefani congratulated the community and praised the work of Dr. Sara Moscardini.

Don Stefano congratulated the community and its leaders in restoring and continuing the rites and traditions for the parish.

Revered historian Antonio Nardini lauded Dr. Moscardini’s work and spoke of the significance of the site chosen and the fact that the building could have been just a lean-to with a straw roof which would have been, not only easier and less demanding to build for this purpose, but also warmer in winter, but instead was of exceptionally durable construction.

Among her eloquent and concise remarks Dr. Moscardini made the point that the importance of the construction of the church is, that it was built not just of bricks but of, by and for the people.

The celebration of its 300th anniversary will be held on August 11, beginning with a procession leaving from Tiglio Basso at 17.30, on arrival to the Oratorio, Mass celebrated with the Archbishop of Pisa, afterwards an aperitif offered by the Agriturismo Cerretelli in Tiglio Basso and continuing with a buffet supper at Tiglio Alto at 8 PM, and at 9:15, a concert performed by the organist Arturro Pivato.

The celebrations will not end with its anniversary however, as the next celebration will follow in 2014 with that of the 60th anniversary of the ordination of Don Giuseppe Cola, who will then have been the Priest of the Chiesa di San Giusto at Tiglio for 58 years.

Reported by Kerry Bell