"Our Lady of Grace" Sanctuary in Nizza Monferrato has been designated as a Jubilee Church and is part of the initiative the Shrine dedicated to “Our Lady of Graces” in Nizza Monferrato (Asti) within the complex of the Institute “Our Lady of Graces” of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Mary Help of Christians Province (IPI) was indicated by the Bishop of the Diocese of Acqui “Pilgrims of hope” is the theme of the Jubilee chosen by Pope Francis to give everyone the opportunity to revive hope and to find in God the reasons for their own hope One of the characteristic signs of the Jubilee is the pilgrimage The pilgrimage includes itineraries to choose as a metaphor of a personal journey of conversion The choice to go to a Jubilee Church expresses the desire and will to reach a place of encounter and dialogue with God The Sanctuary of Nzza has doors open for those who wish to make a spiritual stop welcome the gift of Reconciliation and plenary indulgence the fullness of God’s forgiveness which knows no boundaries A calendar of initiatives will be updated monthly and disseminated “Places of the Heart” of the FAI (Italian Environmental Fund ETS) in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo The call to which it has adhered makes available a series of contributions for projects for the restoration and enhancement of the Sanctuary through the willingness of those who wish to support it but it needs the collaboration and support of many people The census of the Italian places not to be forgotten allows voting the Sanctuary through several ways: The time of a click and sharing with friends of this initiative will allow this place of the heart to be even more valued The invitation to visit the Shrine and the FMA Mother House in Viale don Bosco 40 – Nizza Monferrato (Asti) remains open The opportunity will be offered for a guided tour to discover the history and spirituality of this place so significant and blessed The Sanctuary and the convent structure have very ancient origins according to the Statutes of Nizza Monferrato it was already present since the thirteenth century Their history has always been intertwined with that of the city which over the centuries has been the theatre of wars with allies or invaders: French The destination and function of the different environments are constantly changing the buildings sold to the Wine Society of Savigliano The company went bankrupt and Count Cesare Balbo was a politician and historian from Piedmont given the deterioration of the church and the neglect of the entire convent area surrounded by a large green area and a hill There he transferred the Sisters there of the Institute founded by him on 5 August 1872 at Mornese (AL) The first Daughters of Mary Help of Christians arrive in September 1878 They are responsible for the education of girls After the long and expensive restoration work the complex became the Mother House of the Congregation and the General House until 1929 (which was later moved to Turin until 1969 and then The Sanctuary marked the life of the nascent Institute It opened its doors to generations of young people people from all walks of life seeking help from God and Our Lady Testimonies of graces and miracles are not lacking Every year pilgrims come from all over the world to rediscover the presence of Mother Mazzarello and the first FMA and to get in touch with the origins of the Institute affected by its centuries of history and requires restoration and adjustment Voting for this site is giving voice to the past root of religious and social traditions of Nicesia and Monferrina It is to ensure that the future has a place where hope can be found Flyer Yes it needs to be maintained for us the present generation I agree for the restoration and adjustment and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page This lesser-known Italian appellation makes the best Barbera wines and sells them for a steal on the eve of the anniversary of her birth the missionary exhibition dedicated to Sister Maria Troncatti was inaugurated in Nizza Monferrato Nizza Monferrato (Italy). On 15 February 2025, on the eve of the 142nd anniversary of the birth of Blessed Maria Troncatti Daughter of Mary Help of Christians who will soon be canonized of Grace and Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello of Nizza Monferrato (AT) of the Province of Mary Help of Christians (IPI) together with several people from Nizza Monferrato and surroundings have gathered to give thanks for the life of this great missionary The event began with the prayer of the Rosary in the Shrine of O The Joyful mysteries – mysteries of hope – were contemplated in the light of the Word of God and the expressions of Sister Maria Troncatti also present were the parish priest of Nizza Paolino Siti; the President of the Past Pupils; Ms the former president of the Academy of  Nicese Culture and other people who wanted to pray and intercede to God with graces and blessings in the former Sacred Heart Chapel inside the Institute was inaugurated the Missionary Exhibition dedicated to Sister Maria Troncatti and all the Salesian missionaries who went to the five continents over a period of 150 years (1875-2025) present was the great-great-nephew of the future Saint who donated to the FMA a large white stone rosary wreath that was found in the house where Maria Troncatti was born in Corteno Golgi but of missionary life – it presents objects related to the various Countries where the missionaries worked starting from Nizza over 50 years (1879-1929) the missionaries brought objects to show the Superiors some trace of the culture of the mission lands It was a way of networking between peoples It is dedicated in particular to the great missionary Sister Maria Troncatti where she spent 46 years until her death on 25 August 1969 Sister Maria was a doctor of bodies and souls she was a Mother for all; she became a ‘helper’ to the poor She did everything with the sure guidance of Jesus and Mary Help of Christians The exhibit also preserves a copy of the missionary application of Sister Teresa Valsé Pantellini written when she was ill in the infirmary of Turin in which she said she was ready to leave for China she left for the great journey to the House of the Father at the age of 28 Sister Teresa can also be considered an authentic missionary who offered her life like Jesus ShareSaveLifestyleDining & DrinkingNizza DOCG: The New Quality Region for Barbera Wine?ByMarisa D'Vari Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights 04:15pm ESTShareSaveThis article is more than 5 years old.Panorama of Piedmont vineyards and Barbaresco town Historically wine collectors and restaurant sommeliers considered the Nebbiolo-based wines of Barolo and Barbaresco to be the only true quality DOCG regions in Piedmont Vineyards of Italian countryside in autumn Piedmont is a large region in Northwest Italy that can be translated to “foot of the mountain.” This refers to the Alps It is in Piedmont that you will find the distinct Nebbiolo growing regions of Barolo and Barbaresco DOCG surrounded by the classified Barbera and Dolcetto grape growing regions of Asti The acronym “DOCG” is an official term referring to a wine’s quality and classification level this indicates the most premium quality level from a verified region of origin that is controlled the quality guaranteed (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) Many wine experts consider Piedmont to be the equivalent in quality to the Pinot Noir based Grand Cru regions of Burgundy landscape with vineyards and church in Italy both the Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir grape varieties from these two iconic regions are grown on the best terroir (mostly premium hillside vineyards) They both have careful attention paid to their maturation in wood And both can improve with more than a decade of age wine collectors paid scant attention to the Barbera grape Barbera – and also the grape variety Dolcetto – were considered wines to drink every day while waiting to break out the Barolo or Barbaresco for a grand occasion narrow cobblestone street and cathedral on background in old town of Alba in evening in .. Yet according to several books on Italian wine medieval wine lovers always instinctively felt there was something special about the Barbera grape But only when Barbera came from very specific plots within what is now known as the Barbera d’Asti DOCG region the quality of these specific plots within the overall Barbera d’Asti DOCG region was finally recognized Now these prized Barbera vineyard plots within Asti are classified as the Nizza DOCG Pupitre and bottles inside an underground cellar for the production of traditional method sparkling .. Nizza producers point to their terroir as a way of explaining how the region differs from the larger with the elevation ranging between 150 and 350 meters Vineyards with grapevine and winery along wine road in the evening sun Elevation is important in quality winegrowing regions The reason is that vineyards on a slope help draining (keeping the roots from becoming too soggy) grapes from higher elevation vineyards typically produce more aromatic wines Enthusiastic and Energetic Nizza Wine Producers Wine lovers may wonder why producers spent so much time and money on the creation of their Nizza DOCG One reason is that Asti is a very large region with hundreds of producers and varying quality levels Average consumers are not able to understand if the grapes used in their bottle of Barbera wine came the vineyards on the preferred hills beautiful rows of vineyards in autumn colors With the Nizza DOCG label on the neck of the bottle consumers can better understand that their wine comes from the highest quality region for the Barbera variety the Nizza DOCG wines straddle the price point between more generic Barbera-based wines and the esteemed high-priced wines of the Barolo and Barbaresco DOCG With a good Nebbiolo wine from Barolo or Barbesco DOCG regions approaching three figures the Nizza DOCG Barbera wines are a great alternative at under $30 a bottle They can be enjoyed after just a few years (instead of a decade) of aging Yet they can improve with a decade or more of aging Barbera wines from the Nizza DOCG are a great value for the price (ANS - Nizza Monferrato) - The three days of special celebrations for the World Feast of Gratitude of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) ended on Tuesday This year the celebrations had an even more significant value on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute (1872-2022) after the appointments in Turin and Mornese The Feast began with the festive songs of the young students of the local Institute "Nostra Signora delle Grazie" and of other schools of the Asti and Alessandria area The young enthusiastically welcomed the Mother General of the Congregation Sister María del Rosario García Ribas had the opportunity to see the young people of the vocational courses in action; accompanied by their teachers they exhibited state-of-the-art equipment and the importance of comprehensive formation to enter the world of work The party for the youngest took place with tournaments and games at the end of which the students of the secondary school of Nizza Monferrato accompanied their friends from Alessandria and Asti on a tour of the work In the afternoon the historical commemoration of the salient and significant moments of the life of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Nizza Monferrato took place thanks to the performances of the theatrical company "alla Madonna" of the FMA-IPI historical archives which set up "animated pictures" where the events historically took place It was like leafing through a family album where emotions and memories emerged from the photographs The actors performed professionally and pleasantly - they also recited in the local dialect - against the background of some typical songs of the history of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians made by the students of the Pontifical Faculty "Auxilium" while Mother Chiara Cazzuola approached with sympathy the actors playing the roles of Mother Mazzarello and Mother Caterina Daghero presided by the Bishop of Asti Monsignor Marco Prastaro the flag-wavers of Nizza Monferrato opened the procession that led all those present to the Foro Boario the Mayor conferred honorary citizenship on the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians He opened the ceremony by underlining how the Congregation has spent itself for the city and the highest civic recognition is the proof of how much it has done and how much it will do in favor of the city The collaboration between public and religious institutions read the resolution of ordinary citizenship in favor of the Congregation of the FMA among other things: "The desire for this recognition stems from a statement of gratitude for what has been received from the FMA in the territory of Nizza and for how much the name of Nizza has spread throughout the world thanks to its founders and the works that the religious have exported throughout the world." accepting the honor and responsibility of this honor: 12,245 FMA are now Honorary Citizens of Nizza Monferrato The "Feast of Gratitude" worthy of a 150th anniversary ended with a solemn and important event which at the same time is also a springboard for future commitments and actions ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007 This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements the territory of Piedmont that roughly corresponds to the present provinces of Asti and Alessandria extending from the hills bordering Liguria to the plains of the Vercelli area the land that was once ruled by the Paleologi the lineage of Byzantine emperors who became related to the Aleramici and ruled the fortunes of the marquisate for more than two hundred years And it is the land that gave birth to Vittorio Alfieri It is he whom we can consider the tutelary deity of Monferrato It is precisely from his figure that the journey can begin If it is true that memory is a necessary exercise it is equally true that sometimes it risks producing strange and disorienting effects who wrote: “In the city of Asti in Piedmont on the seventeenth day of January in the year 1749 and honest relatives.” The vagaries of memory from the very beginning of his “life,” become a slippery slope producing dangerous short-circuits and manipulating the past as Alfieri finds himself getting the very day of his birth wrong Alfieri uses memory to retrace all that has been by organizing a selective filtering and putting into perspective The playwright produces a statuesque self-image in which loneliness plays as a reflection in the difficulty of relating to others in a very personal condition of loneliness suffered And it is from this heartbreaking but sought-after loneliness that we will begin our journey through the 10 places to see in Monferrato starting precisely from Vittorio Alfieri’s Asti.1 AstiThe playwright Vittorio Alfieri’s father died when the little boy was only a year old and this absence characterized his entire existence which in Asti finds the most vivid memories of childhood such as the formation of a proudly melancholic and solitary character and the very intense bond with his sister Giulia In his “Life,” Alfieri recounts how his sister will be transferred from one monastery to another starting from that of Sant’Anastasio and arriving at that of Santa Croce where “La Giulietta grew up in codesto monastero in Asti even more uneducated than me.” The first is today a cultural center characterized by its dual reality as an archaeological site and a museum venue consisting of the crypt and the remains of the Romanesque church of St with columns and capitals salvaged from the Roman and early medieval periods Definitely important sites are also the Cathedral of Asti has all those anomalies and peculiarities typical of a construction site that has lasted a long time and the Trojan tower that overlooks the Piazza dei Medici on a long ridge that follows the left bank of the Tanaro River named after its church and the noble Asti family which contributed greatly to restoring an important historical and especially viticultural legacy with historic cellars where elegant and timeless wines are produced But dominating the hillside is the castle built between 1696 and 1721 then reinvented in Baroque style during the 19th century by architect Ernesto Melano first architect to Charles Albert of Savoy and finally transformed in 1815 by Marquis Carlo Emanuele Alfieri who commissioned architect and landscape architect Xavier Kurten to transform the formal garden into a romantic English-style park is overlooked by the very elegant and dreamy Orangerie which houses busts of the castle’s most illustrious guests The town of Casale Monferrato is also famous for its majestic fortress dating back to the 12th century which was reinforced upon the death of Marquis Paleologus taking on the hexagonal shape that can still be admired today Later the castle served as a court seat in which the dukes of Mantua often stayed but the great and flourishing success met it during the principality of Duke Carlo Gonzaga-Nevers who gave a considerable boost to the social and cultural life of the area with the Gonzaga crisis the castle of Casale Monferrato suffered a slow but unstoppable decline and from 1708 it was used as a barracks Also an interesting stop in Casale Monferrato is the Synagogue built in 1595 and which has undergone countless extensions and renovations over the centuries Jews were not allowed to insert any decoration on the facade but as soon as the traveler crosses the entrance door he is fiercely flooded with golds Mostly famous for its vineyards and extremely fine wines the town of Nizza Monferrato is not only the capital of Barbera but has always been a key commercial hub thanks to its strategic position with respect to the provinces of Asti and Alessandria Among its alleys there are numerous testimonies related to the peasant culture as attested by the Bersano Museum of Farming and Antique Prints which was strongly desired by the vine-dresser Arturo Bersano in order to collect all the suffered and sometimes exciting testimonies of the wine-farming culture also commonly recognized as the “Museum of Know-How,” passionately tells the story of wine and the evolution of thought tools and various techniques used over time Inside you can admire the reconstruction of a traditional stone winery and a very large collection of documents paintings concerning the world of wine over the past four centuries Situated on a scenic hill is the Sacred Mount of Crea a complex of chapels and shrines and an important pilgrimage destination It was founded in 1589 on the initiative of the Lateran prior of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Assumption who proposed building an itinerary inspired by the Sacred Mount of Varallo in which pilgrims could pray over time it too was slowly forgotten until raids by French revolutionary troops contributed to the ultimate ruin of some of the structures launched a restoration campaign also supported by the bishopric of Milan that lasted until the 1920s According to some, the name of the Castle of Uviglie derives from the Latin word ovilia (plural of sheepfold) precisely because of the primitive pastoral organization typical of the area while others claim that the name derives from the Roman Avilius What is certain is that the name made its very first appearance in a document dated November 1271 now preserved in the capitular archives of Casale Monferrato the year in which a certificate was drawn up in which the Marquis of Monferrato granted the Pocaparte family the license “Hedificandi Castrum Ivilie.” To this same period dates the construction of the round tower and the wall supporting the hanging garden with its 56,000 square meters of green area has been included among the “Historic Gardens of Botanical Interest” of the Piedmont Region are the magniloquent historic cellars similar to underground cathedrals that house the infernot: special structures dug out of the tuff typical of the Monferrato area Known for its thermal waters and ancient Roman baths Acqui Terme has a name derived from the one the Romans gave to the city founded around the hot springs in the 2nd century BC it was discovered that Acqui was a monumental city an aqueduct and countless commercial emporiums outlining a profile that was also confirmed by Pliny who counts them among the best baths in the empire During the 4th century a major crisis hit Acqui which managed timidly to survive thanks to the presence of influential bishops although at the end of the 6th century it was conquered by the Lombards just a few steps from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is the Bollente: an octagonal marble aedicule built by architect Giovanni Ceruti in 1879 which was already well known in Roman times as a hot spring and still gushes out at 75° C dominating the surrounding hills from above and offering the traveler evocative views The first documents date back to 1270 when Theodore I Paleologus had his castle built which was to be one of the main residences of the marquises of Monferrato major building interventions such as sumptuous fortifications made the town one of the major strategic centers in all of Monferrato in addition to telling stories of bygone times at every turn is also home to the Museo Civico in which works by Guttuso Modigliani and other great artists of the 20th century are on display Although it may look very old and excellently preserved thanks to a propitious fate the Castle of Cereseto as we admire it today was rebuilt from the foundations of a pre-existing building in 1912 and its work was protracted for ten years The project was strongly desired by a wealthy patron and industrialist who decided to erect such a structure above the original medieval castle razed to the ground around 1600 strongly in love with the project and driven by a great passion decided not to leave anything to chance and collected priceless furniture from all over Italy and abroad to enrich his very sumptuous new mansion has 153 rooms and within its walls has seen the passage of works by such important artists as Botticelli and Van Dyck Decidedly older, however, is the Castle of Gabiano which was already mentioned in historical sources starting in the 8th century it has seen a succession of Montiglio and Gonzaga families until Duke Ferdinand of Mantua donated the castle to Agostino Durazzo Pallavicini in 1622 granting him the title of Marquis of Gabiano nineteenth-century restoration erased its original appearance as a turreted fortification to give way to a gentler but fortunately by 1907 it was the subject of a very careful restoration commissioned by the two owners Giacomo Durazzo Pallavicini and Matilde Giustiniani The beating heart of the rigid and austere palace is the sinuous labyrinth designed in the 1930s by architect Lamberto Cusani that recalls the concept of the medieval forest Barolo producer Gianni Gagliardo winery has ended its two-year search for a Barbera-producing wine estate in the newly created Nizza DOCG zone after acquiring Tenuta Garetto Family-owned Gianni Gagliardo has purchased the 15-hectare Tenuta Garetto in the commune of Nizza Monferrato in Piedmont It marks the latest in a string of winery deals across France and Italy in recent weeks Garetto produces Barbera wines under the Nizza DOCG as well as under the banners of Barbera d’Asti DOCG and Barbera d’Asti Superiore ‘A couple of years ago we started to explore opportunities,’ Stefano Gagliardo told Decanter.com He said that Nizza combines two important elements; organised producers and well-suited soil ‘The position [of the vineyards] and the soils are simply fantastic to grow Barbera,’ he said ‘It is unquestionable that most of the best expressions of this grape are from that specific corner of Piedmont. With my brothers, we do see a strong similarity between Barolo and Nizza In both cases there is a special connection of grape variety and place.’ He added that the organisation of producers is also impressive ‘The new appellation shows that there is a group of intelligent producers that are keen to join forces and are looking to the future.’ Gagliardo said that he and his brothers ‘fell in love’ with Garetto when they saw the estate Nizza caused some division during a recent Barbera panel tasting discussion at Decanter but Andrea Briccarello worried that it might confuse wine lovers as much as help them Susan Hulme MW said that she recognised a stylistic difference in Nizza wines although she found those submitted to the tasting a little ‘more demanding’ the Bishop of the Diocese of Acqui inaugurated the Jubilee Year in the Sanctuary "O Nizza Monferrato (Italy). On 31 January 2025, in the Solemnity of St. John Bosco, the Bishop of the Diocese of Acqui, Msgr. Luigi Testore, inaugurated the Jubilee of Hope in O. L. of Graces Sanctuary of Nizza Monferrato (AL), designated by decree of the Bishop Curia, on 8 December 2024, as a Jubilee Church Numerous faithful and all the pupils of the O Institute of Graces of the Daughters of Mary Help of  Mary Help of Christians Province (IPI) – from the children of the Nursery to the students of the first level secondary school to the young people of the vocational courses accompanied by their teachers and trainers singing and praying reached the church in pilgrimage everyone was aware of receiving an extraordinary gift: right in  O the parish priest of the city and many priests and many faithful Willing to receive the gift of the Father’s mercy many people celebrated the Sacrament of Confession trusting encounter with the love of the Father who forgives and renews the heart Testore helped the Assembly to grasp the meaning of the Jubilee which has roots far in time but an ever-present message: God wants to renew each one in depth for this He offers times and possibilities of conversion and grace The celebration was animated by the festive songs of children and young people of the school and cheered by the presence of the little ones of the kindergarten and Micronido who made their solemn entrance into the Sanctuary and were arranged around the altar One of them showed the pilgrim’s saddlebag but also to fill with life and hope the saddlebag of his young people The hope is that the Sanctuary of Nizza Monferrato be a holy place of welcome and privileged space to generate hope in all those who visit it in the certainty that hope does not disappoint also on Mary – a sign of sure hope and consolation – whom Don Bosco saw “walking” in this house and covering it with her mantle of protection Poderi Gianni Gagliardo of Barolo in Piedmont has expanded its holdings, purchasing the 37-acre Tenuta Garetto estate in the Nizza appellation of Monferrato for an undisclosed price from the Garetto family. "It's been a couple of years that my family was looking for some opportunities in Nizza," co-owner Stefano Gagliardo told Wine Spectator. "With my brothers Alberto and Paolo, and of course with our dad Gianni, we're convinced that Nizza can really make grand wines with Barbera. There is history, local vineyard culture, and a great group of producers that are already working together and in the right direction to make this new appellation discovered by many wine aficionados." Gagliardo originally reached out to his old schoolmate, Alessandro Garetto, to ask if he knew of any Nizza vineyards for sale. Garetto surprised Gagliardo by proposing the sale of his own estate. Garetto plans to remain involved by managing the estate for the Gagliardos. The property produces a Nizza DOCG, a Barbera d'Asti Superiore and a Barbera d'Asti, all of which will continue to be labeled Tenuta Garetto. The Nizza DOCG, created in 2014, is a subzone within the hills of the Barbera d'Asti DOCG, whose soils and slopes are particularly well suited to the Barbera grape. Only Barbera is allowed, planted on southeast and southwest facing hills, with a maximum permitted yield of 3.1 tons per acre, less than is allowed for a vineyard-designated Barolo. The Rosso must be aged 18 months, with six months in wood; the Riserva sees 30 months of aging, 12 in wood. "The first step will be to understand the vineyard," says Gagliardo. "So now it's the turn of my brother Alberto, who developed a great sensibility in our Barolo plots." Based in La Morra, Poderi Gianni Gagliardo currently owns 50 acres of vines and produces about 12,500 cases a year. The former Los Angeles restaurateur and real estate developer followed his heart when … Consumers got the chance to taste dozens of outstanding wines in Chicago, with upcoming … The owner of Stoller and Chehalem wineries was devoted to the future of Willamette Valley … Inside the first U.S. location of the French luxury retailer, guests can enjoy fine wine at … Phase one of the Viticulture and Winery Technology program’s new home, funded by a $10 … The Tuscan wine company has purchased a minority stake in Tenute delle Terre Nere; De … Home » Magazine » Art and culture » Piedmont There are some figures whose eclectic and innovative spirit transcends time and place leaving a recognizable trace of their work in future generations Such is the case with Arturo Bersano (known to most as Bersano), a prominent figure for wine and fine-drinking enthusiasts, although not everyone knows how he has valorized Piedmont wines and their connection to their territory of origin I think it is worthwhile to delve into the history of this extraordinary character and to tell the story of the impact he left on wine culture The name Bersano is linked to an emblematic territory: that of production of Barbera d’Asti one of Piedmont’s iconic grape varieties the beating heart of the area of the same name and its economy was largely based on wine production and trade as well as the activity of industries related to the processing of agricultural products 1907 marked the founding of the winery by Giuseppe Francesco Bersano Arturo’s father and a butcher by trade with a strong passion for wine Bersano’s was a winery like many others at a time of major socio-economic transformations when wine was produced partly for home consumption while surplus grapes reached the large marketplaces of nearby local markets Arturo inherited from his father a love of the land and of grape growing but what made him unforgettable was his ability to look to the future with a modern and innovative vision he chose to devote himself entirely to viticulture with the intention of elevating the quality and fame of Piedmont wines he climbed onto the cask in his father’s cellar and dropped the Pandette (the law texts used for study) inside Arturo took over the management of the historic Cantina Bersano winery which at the time was based at the Cascina Cremosina transforming it into one of Piedmont’s most highly regarded wineries the farmstead was not only the symbol of Piedmont’s agricultural tradition but the starting point for producing good wine much of the winery’s vineyards stretch around eight historic estates acquired over the years and located between the Langhe and Monferrato Arturo maintained that although excellent wines can be found on the market nothing can match the authenticity and quality that come from absolute control of the supply chain a result possible only through meticulous work that begins in the vineyard and is completed in the bottle Arturo was a pioneer in the introduction of modern winemaking techniques and a master in enhancing the link between wine and terroir anticipating fundamental concepts such as terroir Building on these principles, he helped rediscover native grape varieties such as barbera, nebbiolo and the sweet aromatics brachetto and moscato helping to lay the foundation for the establishment of the controlled designation of origin for Piedmont wines To describe Arturo Bersano in his entirety is a challenge: wine was the center of his existence transcending the mere marketing of his brand and a lover of good company (he founded in 1968 the Confraternity of Bagna Cauda a goliardic association established for the purpose of safeguarding the ancient convivial traditions of Piedmont and good food) Aware of the risk that time might cause what was being established in those years to fade or be undermined With his storytelling skills he was a modern promoter and spokesman for his host territory His project came to life with the creation of the Farmers’ Museum and the Collection of Wine Prints two places that still tell the story and culture of wine is a unique wine and ethnographic museum that celebrates the farming tradition and the art of viticulture finds space in the refined Art Nouveau building that was once the home of the Bersano family Here wine becomes the protagonist of a dialogue with art demonstrating its ability to inspire and enrich different cultural expressions the leadership of the company passed to the Massimelli and Soave families in 1985 They are the ones to strengthen the company’s assets, expanding the network of farmsteads with the acquisition of Generala in Agliano Terme and the San Pietro estate in Castagnole Monferrato, alongside Arturo’s historic Cremosina and Badarina, the mainstay of the start-up of Barolo production Today the property is wholly owned by the four Massimelli sisters The winery manages 230 hectares of vineyards following each stage of production with care and dedication in line with Arturo’s vision and his guiding principles The Historic Bersano Cellars can be visited daily except Mondays ShareSaveLifestyleSpiritsFive Wine Stories Set In Monferrato, PiemonteBySusan H. Gordon, PhD, MFA Nebbiolo or Freisa,” wrote culinary guide Nathaniel Newnham-Davis in 1911 as shared by Elizabeth Davis in the 1999 edition of Italian Food in a section on Piemontese recipes Asti and Casale Monferrato make up the Basso (lower) Monferrato indicated less distance from the sea; sections farther inland were mapped as basso.) Tiny in terms of wine production Alto Monferrato made its name with Moscato d’Acqui wine from the Moscato Nero grape and practically nonexistent now Brachetto d’Acqui — this aromatic red grape made into sweet compulsively drinkable fresh wines is made all over Monferrato were all largely abandoned for jobs in the nearby cities Susanna Galandrino of La Gironda winery in Nizza With the Barolo- and Barbaresco-famous Langhe along its south and west border Monferrato doesn’t think about Nebbiolo very much But 240 hectares of it are still grown here covered by Monferrato appellations like Albugnano (at least 85% Nebbiolo and up to 15% Freisa Bonarda in any combination) and Terre Alfieri (stretching into Cuneo and like Roero there covering both Nebbiolo and Arneis with Nebbiolo minimums of 85% to Roero’s 95%) not to mention Monferrato Rosso though only Freisa and Dolcetto get varietal-labeling rights a fear that it could lead to the higher-price-fetching grape taking over Monferrato the way it has the Langhe upending the diversity in red wines that the area now boasts Then they were fermented for 10 days before spending a year in oak barrels sized barrique to 50 hectoliter tonneaux so after a few days we remove the seeds,” Galandrino says of the vinification that results in this rich juicy wine’s unusual silkiness “Monferrato is a wide appellation,” Galandrino says In the Asti comune of Castagnole Monferrato that once covered these slopes 200 meters above sea level the semiaromatic (“something of a floral aroma,” Nicolas Belfrage wrote in Barolo to Valpolicella) native Ruchè wine grape has a story with a fairy-tale ending Left behind in the early twentieth century during the rush to replant post-phylloxera it was saved in the 1960s by a local priest whose attention it first caught by annoying him born to a farming family in Roero’s Cisterna d'Asti arrived in Castagnole Monferrato as new parish priest he began working with the grapes of a local Barbera vineyard He quickly realized he didn't like the wine he’d made: “He was after Barbera not this weird blend,” says Barbera d'Asti and Monferrato consorzio president Filippo Mobrici of the savory floral notes that must have clashed with Barbera’s fruit and licorice self Cauda realized that his Barbera grapes had come from mixed vineyards identified the oddness as Ruchè — a local variety that was unknown in his hometown just 20 miles southwest Ruchè had been grown in pre-phylloxera days likely replaced with Barbera when it came time to replant Vineyards that survived the louse kept going as they’d been becoming overlooked reflections of vines’ and people's past decisions here Ruchè “is believed to have developed in the hills northwest of Asti,” writes D’Agata in Native Wine Grapes of Italy In 1995 and 1998 studies of local vineyards making the grape likely native to Piemonte Cauda worked their grapes separately into a single-varietal rosy wine fermented for 28 demijohns of 1963 Castagnole Monferrato Ruchè “In the past [it] was almost entirely consumed by local families,” writes D’Agata of pre-Cauda times “Ruchè has always been held in high esteem locally: the wines made from it were reserved for special occasions.” Cauda quickly realized his had great potential juicy Ruchès from the comunes of Castagnole Monferrato and Montemagno that regularly earn critical applause like Gambero Rosso’s Tre Bicchieri rating the grape is told and retold as Monferrato’s success story the one driving an economic reawakening of the whole territorio a surge of industrialists from other parts of Italy are investing in Ruchè here That there are about 160 hectares of it planted throughout the seven allowed comunes doesn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm perhaps because that’s a steep climb from 2010’s 100 hectares (46 in 2000 practically zero in 1970) and from 50,000 bottles in 1987 when the DOC was introduced to 400,000 in DOCG year 2010 to 1 million in 2017 up to 10% of the wine may be Barbera and fully aromatic Brachetto capable simultaneously of levelness and exuberance Ruchè is also clearly versatile with foods within its first few years before its floweriness begins to change; within seven or eight for soy With an estimated 50-plus native varieties in Piemonte Monferrato still includes a local crossing in its repertoire: both of Albarossa’s parents were Piemontese The wine grape was created in 1938 at the Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura in Conegliano by professor Giovanni Dalmasso who was chasing the elegance and robustness he thought might come of Nebbiolo x Barbera though: the wines of this grape (original name Incrocio Dalmasso XV/32) were made first experimentally in the early 2000s at the Tenuta Cannona (Centro vitivinicolo sperimentale della Regione Piemonte) Bava’s Albarossa 2015 is grown at 350 meters on clay limestone soils in the village of Cocconato and ages in stainless steel for one year before being bottled that smooth texture that Albarossa should have and a note of something akin to undried tobacco vegetal quality is typical of Albarossa,” says Franco’s son Giorgio the grape’s allowed in three IGT wines of neighboring Alfiero Boffa in his La Riva Vecchia Barbera vineyard in Moasca in the Nizza area of Monferrato,.. then difficult to distinguish from piemontese Nebbiolo as it ages.) Others went with Grignolino and Friesa starved as we'd been of Moscato d'Asti (many of its top vineyards are in Monferrato) and Cortese of which there are 1,000 hectares here “with place,” for what I’d learned by tasting Asti’s these days among them four noticeably single-vineyard bottlings then used money made to add new Barbera vineyards in the 1960s His goal was to make wine from his own vineyards only "Boffa wines were bottled for a new type of client restaurants and shops where you could drink the forerunners of the present-day wine shops." Nello blended the fruit from his vineyards into one Barbera and in the 1980s he began to experiment with cru bottling driven by personal taste and with the hope that others elsewhere might agree that a new global market might be looking in this direction “There is selection not only in the vineyard but also in the market,” Boffa says when I visit his winery on the last day with the mission to continue his father's vision and to add a few things of his own: zealously low yields (“Each vine must produce no more than one kilogram of grapes which corresponds to one bottle of wine.”) he released his four cru Barbera d’Asti Superiore: Cua Longa (planted 1950) and La Riva (a Vecchia half is two hectares planted in 1930 and just across a steep dirt trail a Nuova half is two more hectares planted in 1990) in Moasca Muntrivé (planted 1935) in San Marzano Oliveto (so named because once there were olive orchards here left unplanted when a frost destroyed them in the 19th century — it is now warm enough again to support that kind of agriculture either in tribute or just because it works well The point he’s making is that you can taste the differences single-vineyard-wise we taste a 2003 La Riva Strong dried and canned chile-pepper notes are a common thread as if each cru is an ingredients in a mole-complicated sauce smoked green pepper aromas while the palate is all fresh fruit Along with two other labels it represents the three winemaking generations of his family and is the Alfiero blend with a barrique regimen from new to eight years old who passed away in 1995 and for whom this first vintage 1996 was made: it’s in his style is in tribute to Giuseppe and “old Barbera in Piemonte,” a reflection of Monferrato’s red as it was pre-phylloxera — a field blend — and accordingly Alfiero has co-planted this Barbera with two “rare native varieties,” which he doesn’t reveal; deep beautiful fruit vineyards here were “a mix of various vines often based on the fantasies of the farmer himself who made the wines that he found pleasing,” reads the website All seven bottlings are under his Vigne Uniche line and it’s necessary to spend a lot of time with each of them to get the ever-developing aromas ideas in each bottle and to understand what Boffa’s been thinking Eighty percent of his production is Barbera up to six meters down of it and once that ends which is where Boffa wants the roots to go he lets them spend their first decade growing where they will then begins to cut the ones closer to the surface repeating every five years until the plant is 25 years old and its roots well into the heft-and freshness-giving marl he wraps reaching foliage around the training wires keeping a steady one-and-a-half square meters of leaves per vine but here the rows of Barbera are planted on steep hills and closer to each other than those at Muntrivé which live 220 meters apart for getting more of that precious sunlight From here on a clear day you can see the Maritime Alps that mark the border with France west Piemonte’s Monte Rosa which feeds the vineyards of Carema In hot August days those peaks shed cold air which rolls down to these Nizza hills for day-night differences of up to 20 degrees centigrade In the winery there are glass-lined cement casks for Barbera vinification The wines ferment undisturbed for 14 to 18 days Here the traditional method is submerged caps using “table wood” to push the cap two-to-three-centimeters down and hold it there without much movement the crus in ones that have spent their first eight years raising Collina planted here in 1990 with north and northeast exposure on a site where his father had had Barbera and which Alfiero uprooted as it would serve these cooler-climate grapes better From the Pinot Nero he makes a 36-months-on-lees metodo classico blanc de noir “I drink only Barbera,” Boffa says of these wines capable of being obsessively of-place in the right hands “I just change the bottling for season or food.” (Note that “the best match for La Riva is mushroom and truffle.”) For my other Monferrato-representative grape This grape grows mostly in the Monferrato now but it once flourished in the Langhe including in Barolo MGA Bussia’s Pianpolvere Soprano D’Agata says of that site now planted entirely to Nebbiolo Grignolino also appeared in 13th-century documents which cited stiff penalties for those who would dare damage the Grignolino vineyards of Asti or of Monferrato Casale today noble Grignolino is identified with the latter area The grape changes noticeably in parts of Monferrato and reflects territorio with the same sensitivity Nebbiolo and Pinot Nero have to their surroundings where Ruchè's comune Portacomaro is considered among the best for Grignolino relative terms for this red wine that reads pink to medium red the sands are increasingly mixed with clay for a wealth of Grignolino territorio — for those especially after this wine’s firm the lightest come from Lu in Monferrato Casalese so mineral others tasting it described it as powdery acidic and tannic heft in a concentrated red-mauve tone including Nicolas Belfrage who in Barolo to Valpolicella wrote that he’d failed to acquire it I’d say it’s a wine of uncommon and graceful tastes requiring attention in both drinking and making and that they give up color only with difficulty These wines’ nuance comes from distant florals while more complexity is found in this dance of a dusty astringency and scaffolded tannic steadiness It’s a strange wine: pale in color and heftily tannic “It finishes with a flourish on the rising note of an extended aftertaste,”  Hazan wrote “The overall impression is that of freshness conveyed with racy elegance and firmness.“ There are 500 hectares of it in Monferrato today but without much development: it tends to plateau “The best vintage in Grignolino is always the most successful recent year,” wrote Hazan (I took part in these tastings and discussions as a guest of the 2018 edition of Collisioni which I attended as a wine professional for Ian D’Agata’s Progetto Vino component of the festival.) (ANS - Nizza Monferrato) - "They’re coming!" was the cry of enthusiasm with which the visit of Fr Ángel Fernández Artime and the Provincials participating in the mid-term review course were welcome at the Mother-House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) The visit is the first from a Rector Major to this center and occurs 150 years from the first visit of Don Bosco to this  Piedmontese town This was part of the formation program of the course for the Provincials as a journey to deepen the Salesian spirituality for women in the footsteps of Mother Mazzarello and the first FMA The visit to the Mother House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians immediately began with what is most precious in it: the young people The Vocational Training group (CIOFS-FP) of the Course for Beauticians of Nizza Monferrato illustrated to the guests the training program designed to launch the girls to enter the world of work Director of the Historical Archives of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta and member of the ACSSA (Association of Salesian history lovers) the delegation visited the significant places of the FMA Motherhouse and Generalate of the Institute until 1929 to the education of young women were some of the themes dealt-with during the visit The former 18th century Franciscan convent dedicated to the Sacred Heart the bedroom where the co-founder lived etc. there was a Eucharistic celebration with some thirty concelebrating priests The pilgrims were joined by the parish priest and other local priests and Salesians from nearby communities There was also a large participation of the faithful some members of the municipal administration and the leading figures of the FMA of Piedmont the Rector Major recalled the humble origins of the two Institutes (that of the Salesians and that of the FMA) inviting everyone not to forget the history and exhorted every Christian to live with fidelity giving the best of oneself to whatever the state that the Lord has entrusted to him He also recalled his visit to the elderly and sick sisters and emphasized that each person serves the Lord not only when they are young but are also called to live fully also in later phase in the situation in which they find themselves because God will do the rest!" was the invitation he left with the assembly he also jokingly interacted with the children present and invited parents to support their children with their education the Rector Major visited the institute's aeroponic greenhouse and greeted the students of the hotel course of the CIOFS-FP institute of Casale Monferrato The visit ended with a moment of fraternal agape and a festive greeting and wish from the FMA community: "See you next year "Our Lady of Grace" Institute of the FMA in Nizza Monferrato was recognized for the 2022-2023 school year as one of the best centers in Italy for preparing for English language exams Our Lady of Grace Institute of Nizza Monferrato (AT) of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Mary Help of Christians Province (IPI) was recognized by the Cambridge certifying body among the best centers in Italy for the school year 2022-2023 The Cambridge English Assessment – the University of Cambridge Organization which organizes and manages exams for assessing the knowledge of the English language for non-native English speakers issues English language certificates based on the framework of international levels according to standards from A1 to C2 It has in fact recognized the School as excellent in preparation for the exams based on the number of students who have taken and brilliantly passed the written and oral exams by the institution’s English-speaking examiners Twenty-six fourth and fifth graders who took the first level Startes had excellent results along with the nine eighth grade students who passed with excellent scores at B1 of the Pet They have not only learned the language at a high level and superior to what their peers generally do but they faced an exam with seriousness and maturity; they have grown as persons,” commented Professor Lina Saracino the school has paid great attention to international openness and fluent possession of the English language the ability to interact in different contexts and with different people Students begin their approach to the English language starting from the Spring Section of the Kindergarten From the first class of the Primary School then the pupils attend an hour a week with a mother-tongue teacher they have two hours in the following three-year period to continue with an hour with a native-speaker teacher at the 1st level secondary school Here colleagues make themselves available to collaborate every year in the CLIL path where some agreed upon topics of various disciplines are taught in English The willingness and competence of the Teacher the conviction of being at the service of the global growth of young people and – why not – the dedicated and welcoming classroom where everything speaks “British” supporting children and young people in getting involved and becoming passionate everyone works with passion… waiting for the trip to England (ANS - Turin) During these days - from the 24th to the 26th of April - the World Gratitude Day organized by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians is taking place in the places of the origins of the FMA Institute in Turin Nizza Monferrato and Piedmont with the theme “they are my daughters” The Feast is part of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Foundation of the Institute (1872-2022) and aims to be an expression of gratitude to the Lord for the generous ‘yes’ of the Mother General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians elected in October 2021 to the service of animation and government Mother Chiara met at Valdocco with about 500 young people in the event of the MGS Day with whom she also shared some reflections during an interview conducted by the young people After the Vigil animated by the young people in formation of various Provinces Mother Chiara then gave her “Goodnight” to those present the day began with a moment of entrustment to Mary Mother Chiara then met the young people in formation and had a moment of enriching dialogue with them the World Feast of Gratitude will take place which will be the most important moment of these days of meeting the final day will begin with the arrival of Mother Chiara to Our Lady of Grace Institute with the welcome of the students and of the Salesian Schools of Nizza While the Celebration for the youngest ones will be animated by tournaments and games Mother Chiara Cazzuola will meet with some FMA Provincials and Animators two visits are planned: one to the locales of the CIOFS/FP Professional Courses and one through the premises of the Institute enriched with historical and charismatic re-enactments At the end of the visits there will be a Eucharistic celebration in Our Lady of Grace Sanctuary Mother Chiara Cazzuola will receive from the Mayor of the city of Nizza Monferrato the conferral of the Honorary Citizenship on the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians The Shrine "Our Lady of Grace" in Nizza Monferrato (Asti) adheres to the initiative of the ‘marathon’ of prayer wanted by Pope Francis for the month of May 2021 we pray the Rosary to invoke the end of the pandemic and the resumption of social and work activities” (Pope Francis dedicated to Our Lady of Grace and called by the people of Nizza Monferrato ‘the Madonna’ was purchased by Don Bosco on 12 October 1877 The date of opening the Shrine for worship on 27 October 1878 had the solemn blessing by the Director General of the FMA who celebrated the first Holy Mass in the presence of Mother Mazzarello This coincides with its establishment as the FMA Mother House of the  Institute after the transfer from the House of foundation in Mornese Many important events for the FMA took place in the Shrine: the re-election of Mother Mazzarello as Superior General the consignment of the printed Constitutions by Cardinal Cagliero Here the solemn funerals took place of Mother Mazzarello On  3 May  2021, the day dedicated to the Rosary for Sr. Teresa Valsè Pantellini, FMA, the prayer took place in the Shrine where the Venerable made her First Religious Profession and Perpetual Profession. This year also marks the 120 years of her entrance into the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians there are several significant dates according to Salesian tradition: on 9 May the birth of Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello Co-Founder She lived in Nizza from 1878 and died on 14 May  1881 The FMA Community of Nizza celebrates the triduum of the Feast of Mother Mazzarello from 10 to 13 May giving the possibility to the population to participate with the Sisters in praying the Rosary and Vespers the death of Mother Mazzarello is commemorated through the presentation of the online edition of the Salesian Map of Nizza In preparation for the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians the Novena will be celebrated from 15 to 23 May with the prayer of the Rosary at 9:00 pm the Rosary will be animated by the FMA communities the students of Our Lady of Grace Institute in Nizza the Daytime Educational Center of the CISA Consortium – Asti south On 24 May  2021 at 6:00 pm, Msgr. Paolino Siri will preside over the solemn Eucharistic celebration in honor of Mary Help of Christians for all the faithful. The celebration can be followed on the YouTube Channel and the Facebook Page of the Historical Archive FMA-IPI marks the centenary of birth into heaven of Mother Catherine Daghero commemorated on 24 February with a conference organized in Nizza Monferrato 26 February 2024 marks the centenary of the birth into heaven of Mother Catherine Daghero (1924-2024) who with creative audacity and rooted firmly in the Charism launched the FMA Institute into full flowering to provide answers to the many needs of the century that was closing and the new one that was opening On 24 February in the monthly memory of Mary Help of Christians, protectress and example of a life given, the Institute of Our Lady of Graces of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Mary Help of Christians Province (IPI), organized the Conference “Mother Catherine Daghero: from Nizza to the world with foresight of perspectives” Monsignor Luigi Testore; the Vicar General Sister Maria del Rosario García Ribas; and the Councilor for Formation of the FMA Institute Sister Nilza Fatima de Moraes; civil authorities and Salesian Cooperators filled the “Mother House” in a festive atmosphere The great-great-grandniece and great-great grandnephew of Mother Daghero were also present: Sandra and Roberto Costantino The cordial encounter in the Salesian family spirit was combined with the rigor of research and the passion for in-depth analysis that the numerous participants appreciated in the historical exhibit It was set up with art and competence by Sister Angela Marzorati responsible for the Office of Photographic and Audio-Visual Documentation of the FMA General Archive – Photographic Sector There were the passionate interventions by the Animator and General Secretary emerita Sister Piera Cavaglià; by Sister Maria Concetta Ventura there was the new biography edited by Angela Bertero “The courage to dream the future” The young students of the Ciofs-FP of Casale Monferrato and Alessandria also gave their contribution by preparing and serving with art and enthusiasm the buffet for the participants Everyone contributed to making this figure known a little better and a little more leaving the participants with the desire to read her numerous letters and so easy to be moved and to act to satisfy every request is a guide in living like her in her compassion and sharing to “Be at the forefront of charity.” “We are festive today because we celebrate a centenary of a fruitful life: the life and mission of Mother Catherine Daghero who lived here These are the opening words of the conference by Sister Piera Cavaglià who continued with some historical brushstrokes: “It was in this House that Mother Catherine died one hundred years ago on 26 February ‘We thank the Lord… let us always do God’s will well’ and passionate Daughter of Mary Help of Christians because she was truly rooted in the Gospel and in the spirit of the Founder delve deeper into her message and collect her legacy a missionary ardor that had no boundaries or other limits than ‘Da mihi animas cetera tolle’.” In her salutations at the end of the Conference Dean of the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences “Auxilium” and fellow citizen of Mother Daghero also sharing the memories of her great-great-grandniece Sandra: “Catherine Daghero left Cumiana while still young even if she didn’t yet fully know in what form Elected Superior General of the FMA Institute at just 25 years of age she was a woman of government (the longest government in the history of the Institute) she was full of courage and apostolic ardor; and as Superior General she possessed a far-sighted outlook which ranged over vast horizons so much so as to be able to give extraordinary impetus to the nascent Institute almost making it what it is today: a global Institute.” In Sister Piera Ruffinatto’s educative conclusion the hope for a year of studies and fruitful insights to enrich the narrative and make known a story that “tastes of the future”: “Mother Catherine was a great educator and formator sowing life and making it germinate and bear fruit in the FMA Institute The most beautiful character of the educational mission is that it is by its nature This is the noblest profile of the one who educates and who carries out her task With the studies and insights of this centenary year I am certain that the seed thrown into the pond will produce increasingly larger concentric waves to make known a humble and great history that still today has a taste of the future!” (ANS - Nizza Monferrato) - As part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) this year the traditional "Feast of World Recognition" of the FMA towards their Superior wants to be an expression of gratitude to the Lord for the generous yes of Mother Chiara Cazzuola to the service of animation and government in the Institute The festivities to celebrate the anniversary will last three days - from April 24 to 26 - and will take place between Mornese The Thanksgiving Feast is a typical feast day of the Salesian family: it was born back in 1849 with the homage of two silver hearts offered to Don Bosco by Carlo Gastini and Giuseppe Buzzetti Moved by the gift and the words that accompany it Don Bosco sensed the educational value of this gesture and extended it to all Salesian communities and still today FMA and Salesians celebrate this day of Thanksgiving there are several especially joyful reasons for the celebration of the Feast of World Recognition of the FMA: first of all it will be the first Thanksgiving Day for Mother Chiara Cazzuola elected as Superior General of the Institute in October 2021 the feast will provide a reason for the new Mother General to visit Nizza Monferrato for the first time a central place in the history of the development of the Institute this year has a very special significance for the Salesian Sisters as it marks the 150th anniversary of their Institute’s foundation Precisely because of this year’s special importance Mother Chiara Cazzuola shall participate in the activities of the SYM Day in Turin with the meeting of the young people and the Mass in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians Both events will be streamed live through social networks the FMA Mother General shall preside a meeting with the young people in formation from different Provinces the day opens with Mass with the young women in formation - also transmitted via live streaming - and a second meeting with the young FMA in formation but this time conducted digitally to reach novices and juniors from around the world Mother Chiara Cazzuola will receive the worldwide homage of her Sisters in the celebration of the World Feast of Thanksgiving with a ceremony that will take place in the Teatro Grande of Valdocco and that will also be accessible via live web the feast will continue in Nizza Monferrato The FMA Mother General will arrive at the shrine "Our Lady of Grace" of Nizza Monferrato in the morning welcomed by the children and young people of the local Salesian schools While the celebration for the youngest will be expressed with tournaments and games Mother Chiara Cazzuola shall also be meeting several FMA Provincials and Rectors she will visit the premises of the vocational courses and have a chance to admire a historical re-enactment that will retrace in some scenes the salient and significant moments of the life of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Nizza Monferrato the Eucharistic celebration will take place - transmitted in live streaming and presided over by the Bishop of Asti Monsignor Marco Prastaro - and after the Mass the honorary citizenship from the mayor of the city To prepare and follow the main events of the feast, please visit the website: https://www.festadelgrazie.org  (ANS - Mornese) - The date of August 5 is a date of grace and an event of powerful communion for all the world’s Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) 1872 - that is exactly 150 years ago tomorrow - in Mornese led by Maria Domenica Mazzarello pronounced their "yes" before Don Bosco to give life to a religious congregation that would be inspired by the example of Mary Help of Christians and would be dedicated to the education and evangelization of and of young people The name of the new Institute is today a symbol of identity: Daughters of Mary Help of Christians a living monument of gratitude to Our Lady of Don Bosco "Through a gift of the Holy Spirit and with the direct intervention of Mary John Bosco founded our Institute as a response of salvation to the profound hopes of girls and young women He endowed it with a spiritual heritage inspired by the charity of Christ and imparted to it a strong missionary characteristic," states the Constitutions of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (No 150 years have passed and the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians is celebrating a prolonged and extremely rich history of love and care for young people have had to cope with the difficult context of the Covid-19 pandemic but all of this has been an even more opportune time to look back over the history of the Institute and to seek in its own origins and charism the inspiration to face the challenges of the present As the Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians "In this situation that still surprises and persists we are called to accept the challenges of the contemporary world to design the future with boldness and to live the 150th anniversary as an opportunity for renewal and vocational and missionary revitalization." From the small village of Mornese to the whole world the FMA Institute has transported the educational passion of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello to the four corners of the world and is today one of the Church's major women's religious congregations Tomorrow to celebrate the 150th anniversary there will be 11,225 professed FMA and 310 novices scattered in 97 countries on five continents and organized in 69 Provinces and 5 Vice-Provinces They animate their mission through 122 centers for the promotion of women 475 Technical and Vocational Training Centers 142 social works for children and young people in difficulty and 3,175 schools of various orders and grades For each of these FMA communities or centers what the motto chosen for the 150th anniversary says applies: "Mary walks in this house." For more information about the anniversary and proposals to celebrate it, visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Gn3H6Th0P9rkV-2LUibtCIzrRGrVCxdW