The Work/Study MIR Peace Camp at Betania II

Tommaso Bogliacino, the man behind the religious retreat at Betania.  Tommaso speaks several languages, including Swahili.

Franco Perna with his scythe

By my second and third day at the work and study peace camp near Lago di Garda, I was beginning to learn  something of the organization whose members I was living with. The Movimento Internazionale della Riconciliazione is the Italian chapter of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. According to IFOR's website, ( http://www.ifor.org) the fellowship was founded in 1919 in response to the horrors of war in Europe, and has taken a consistent stance against war and its preparation throughout its history. Perceiving the need for healing and reconciliation in the world, the founders of IFOR formulated a vision of the human community based upon the belief that love in action has the power to transform unjust political, social, and economic structures.

In 1952, the fellowship came to Italy as the Movimento Internazionale della Riconciliazione with the help of 4 people, including two Quakers. For more on MIR, go to: http://riconciliazione.wordpress.com/

Luciano gives shiatsu

Planning the walk to a nearby monastery

Setting out from Betania

Taking a break during the walk

One of the dangers faced during the walk

The monastery

The view from the monastery of Lago di Garda

The picnic lunch at the monastery