Why "The Hills of Hope" in Spello and Collepino?

Many years ago, we were on holiday for a few days in Assisi, and while touring around Mount Subasio, we happened upon Collepino by chance.

We were deeply struck by its beauty and immediately reminded of the books by brother Carlo Carretto, who, with his living, simple, and profound Faith, had “guided” us along a particularly complex path for our family.

We immediately felt at home and part of these places.

We quickly sought to find a kind of “buen retiro” where we could return and enjoy the silence, away from the frenzy of the city.

Here we had the opportunity to further deepen the spirituality of brother Carlo and that of Saint Charles de Foucauld, thanks to exchanges with the many “Little brothers” who live in these hills and continue to welcome anyone wanting to experience silence, prayer, work, and community life.

We then discovered that we also had a family connection with a person who lived in the times of the hermitages of brother Carlo, sister Giovanna Negrotto Cambiaso, “contemplative pilgrim,” with whom it was beautiful to share a part of life.

To her, brother Carlo asked to write about “The Hills of Hope” to describe what kind of communal and spiritual experiences could be had in these places.

This little book, as small as it is precious, is a real treasure that continues to inspire us and hence, the choice of name for the site that gives space to “our” project.

It was born as a tribute both to sister Giovanna (Didì, “big sister,” as her beloved “brothers” in India liked to call her) and to brother Carlo and all the people who have drawn from the spirituality of these lands, enriching it.

A choice that also becomes for us a constant remembrance of the “call” that we felt coming from these lands, with all the happy upheaval it brought into our lives… and which we cannot help but share, opening “our” homes and welcoming anyone fortunate enough to happen upon these places.

“The Hills of Hope” represent not only a physical place but also a space where friends and guests can carve out exclusive time capable of fostering a newfound harmony and inner peace, surrounded by the Beauty that encircles us.

It will not be necessary to say or do anything; everyone, in their own way, will find something precious, personal, and special, which will remain forever in their heart.

For further information:

https://fpcontemplativa.blogspot.com/ 

https://www.fraternitaspello.it/wp/  

https://www.jesuscaritas.it/ 

https://www.famigliacristiana.it/articolo/carlo-carretto-maestro-alpino-uomo-delle-folle-e-del-deserto-innamorato-di-dio-.aspx