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In this hot and incredible summer, it has also happened that a pilgrims hostel had to be closed due to fire danger. The huge fire that spread through the woods of Massarosa forced villages and communities in the area to evacuate their homes; even in Valpromaro, the inhabitants and our hospitaleros onduty had to leave the hostel A few difficult days, which we experienced with apprehension, for the community that welcomes and promotes the Casa del Pellegrino “Giuseppe Mancino” with affection and care.

A hostel remains a hostel, even in times of emergency, so instead of accommodating pilgrims passing through on the Via Francigena it has hosted the fire brigade engaged in extinguishing the fire.

Now everything is back to normal, the village has repopulated, the hostel has reopened and pilgrims have returned to the route.

Once again, our board welcomed the request for cooperation, on an experimental basis, with the ‘Casa del Pellegrino – Cascina Toledina’ in Garlasco (Pavia), which is part of Fondazione Exodus di  Don Mazzi.
The donation-based accommodation, right on the Via Francigena, is equipped with twelve beds, a kitchen, a reception area, two bathrooms
We would like to emphasise the social relevance and solidarity aspect of this collaboration, given the particular context in which the hostel is included;  as a matter of fact, it is  part of  a facility that welcomes young people in recovery or reported by the judicial authorities.  For them, hosting pilgrims constitutes an extra element of connection with the reality of the Via Francigena and the world of pilgrimages which can prove beneficial on them .

During our service we will be strictly required
– not to introduce alcohol or drugs, not even for personal use;
– not to give young people either money or our mobile phones.

We will also have the opportunity to interact with them, collaborating in some practical activities, e.g. looking after the animals, the vegetable garden, etc.
The duration of the collaboration, which includes the presence of a hospitalero, will start this year from Saturday 28 June and will end on Saturday 15 October.

Our Board has welcomed the request for collaboration, on an experimental basis, from the Parish Pastoral Council of Ponte d’Arbia (SI).
The pilgrims hostel is property of the Società Esecutori di Pie Disposizioni di Siena, on the Via Francigena. It is obviously a donation-based accommodation equipped with 19 beds divided in six rooms, three bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and an area that can be used as a refectory and reception area.
Our  hospitaleros will take turns starting Saturday 2 July until Saturday 3 September 2022.