The secret ingredient (of biscuits)

Tananana! What is this sound? It is the bell that rings continuously here at the Hermitage, unexpected and blessed. While you eat, while you pray, while you have gloves, apron and cap. There is no respite, ring the bell while the phone rings, just when you have more to do. He brings many people into the house, each with his desire for him. At this time many come for the Flavours of the hermitage.

What could be better for Christmas than a gift good to eat and good for whoever made it? We are amazed that so many people - especially by word of mouth - know our biscuits and choose them despite the others thousands of proposals that are around. And people are struck by not finding a simple pastry shop, much less a shop: they find a house where you can enter and see inside the laboratory and meet the young people who are working. Luisa thanks Stefano for every twist that passes him: in reality, at that speed she would have already taken another three... but it's not the speed that counts here! Ale is on break, she is having a snack in front of the Christmas tree. Gabri with chocolate-smeared hands comes to call him: «You're already on your third break! We need you to change the pans!» Luca doesn't waste time and if there's a used pan he immediately puts it to wash. Jibril does not rest: «This war is consuming me». They are our boys. A few meters further they bring the biscuits to be packaged for the volunteers.

The most beautiful volunteers are the mothers of the families we host. If they have a free hour they go downstairs to help and in the meantime they tell each other their story. One mom is happy because her daughter's checkup went well, she'll be home soon, the other mom is worried, but she doesn't think so much about it, now she packs up and chats. You don't even need to go and call them, they know we're always there and they always find baskets full of biscuits to pack. Even the little ones are already busy here. There are so many presents to be prepared for the people who come to get them. In many homes – even this Christmas – you will eat something good… not only for the taste but also for the love that is inside every cookie.


Maria Claudia Brunello
NP January 2023