The foundations are laid for a twinning between Villa Cura Brochero, Córdoba, Argentina and the Cultural Association El Camino del Santo Grial during the VIII Cultural Week in Massamagrell.

Massamagrell, 24 October 2023 – In an exciting ceremony that took place yesterday at 10:00 a.m., the future twinning between Villa Cura Brochero in Cordoba, Argentina, and the Asociación Cultural El Camino del Santo Graal was announced during the celebration of the VIII Semana Cultural El Camino del Santo Graal in Massamagrell, Valencia, Spain.

The event was attended by Dr. Gustavo Riveiro, Delegate of Tourism of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, María Teresa Puga Marín, Undersecretary of Disability of the province of Córdoba, Argentina, Don José Ribes Perea, parish priest of Massamagrell, Dr. Ana Mafé García, president of the Cultural Association The Way of the Holy Grail, and Miguel Bailach, councillor of tourism of the City Council of Massamagrell. Also present were the mayoress Pilar Peris, Paco Gómez, former mayor, and other prominent members of the municipal corporation.

This twinning aims to foster cultural and touristic cooperation between Villa Cura Brochero, a place with a rich history and cultural heritage in Argentina, and the Asociación Cultural El Camino del Santo Graal, an organisation committed to the promotion and preservation of the cultural and heritage richness related to the Holy Grail in Spain.

Dr. Gustavo Riveiro, Delegate for Tourism of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, explained who Cura Brochero is, whose full name is José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, an Argentinean Catholic priest who lived in the 19th century.

The Cura Brochero

He is a very important figure in the history of Argentina and is widely recognised for his pastoral work and social commitment. He was born on 16 March 1840 in Villa Santa Rosa, Córdoba, Argentina. He was ordained a priest in 1866 and soon after, in 1869, he moved to the town of Villa Cura Brochero, which would eventually bear his name in honour of his service and dedication to the community.

Cura Brochero is especially known for his commitment to evangelisation and pastoral care of the rural and remote areas of the province of Córdoba. During his lifetime, he travelled great distances on horseback to reach isolated communities and provide spiritual support to people living in rural and mountainous areas. He often organised schools, churches and assistance centres in these areas.

In addition to his religious work, Cura Brochero was noted for his social commitment. He fought for the rights of the underprivileged, promoting social justice and Christian values in his pastoral work. His dedication to the needy and his efforts, to improve the quality of life in rural communities, made him a role model.

El Cura Brochero died on 26 January 1914, but his legacy lives on in Argentina and beyond. In 2016, Pope Francis canonised him, officially recognising him as a saint of the Catholic Church. His life and work continue to be an inspiration to many people, both for his deep faith and his tireless work on behalf of underprivileged communities.

Dr. Gustavo Riveiro stressed the importance of this twinning in promoting religious and cultural tourism through the knowledge of this unique person.

María Teresa Puga Marín expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to strengthen cultural ties between Villa Cura Brochero and Massamagrell. And in turn she completed with data the great work done by the Cura Brochero and his process of canonization, highlighting the spiritual character of the character.

Dr. Ana Mafé García, president of the Cultural Association The Way of the Holy Grail, stressed the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences in the conservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of the ‘Way of the Holy Grail’ through cultural links and places of prayer. Miguel Bailach, councillor for tourism at Massamagrell Town Hall, reaffirmed the town’s commitment to this twinning and its desire to strengthen cultural and touristic ties together with the mayoress, Pilar Peris.

This twinning promises to be a milestone in the collaboration between these two regions, allowing the exchange of experiences, knowledge and resources to promote cultural and touristic heritage. Both parties hope that this union will enrich and benefit both communities, contributing to the strengthening of cultural heritage and greater mutual understanding.

The event was also attended among other guests Jesús Gimeno Peris, secretary of the Association, Mrs. Nely Mamani Escobar, consul of Bolivia, Mila Llopis García president of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs, María Rosa from Brotocó Atelier, Carmen Fons from the World Press Agency and International Press Federation and director of the radio programme VOCES DE MUJER and Mrs. Vicenta García Alcover, from the municipality of Museros to support this twinning that marks a milestone for the achievement of the Way of the Holy Grail as a European Cultural Itinerary.

Don Carlos María Oviedo, Mayor of Villa Cura Brochero has already contacted Dr. Ana Mafé García to continue working together with the Executing Unit of “Los Caminos de Brochero” and the Asociación Cultural El Camino del Santo Grial.

Report by Will McCarthy

Article copyright ’24/7 Valencia’