The Valponasca
Whenever she foresaw that she would come back late from church in the evening, knowing that there would be a lot of work in the fields (...), she would rise earlier than usual, and, before waking her sister, she would go to the vineyard and geta head start on the day’s work (...). Her physical strength and her character, joined to her desire to make herse useful, inclined her to hard work (Cronistoria of Inst. FMA).
On February 10, 1827, for a period of 18 years, Maria Mazzarello’s paternal grandfather rented the small farm "Valponasca", owned by the marquis Giorgio Doria. Domenico Mazzarello died at a early age leaving his property to his 4 sons; three of them were to share the house in "Mazzarelli di qua" with their families. Later, Giuseppe Mazzarello, Maria’s father, decided to go to live at the Valponasca. This probably took place in 1850, after extending the rental period of the house. Maria Mazzarello lived her adolescent and youthful years in this house. She was like any other lively and intelligent girl . Here at the Valponasca, the rhythm of her life changed. Until then, she had been the helpfulsupport of her mother; now that her little sister Felicita had grown up, she could work with her father in the fields.
Work and prayer sustained her youth. Maria Mazzarello had found a place which became the strong point of her busy day while she worked in the fields and vineyards. In the little house of Valponasca there is a window on the southern side. From there, the parish church is visible. Maria used to go to Mass every morning, but could not go back in the evening. Thus, she found a way of joining those who at that time were gathered together in the church for prayer. She would come here to this window. When her mother realized what Maria' s evening escapes were about, she arranged it so that the whole family would gather by that window for their evening prayer. From here, where silence is broken only by the wind that blows in every direction, Maria Mazzarello had learned to live an intense spiritual life. She had learned the real meaning of contemplation which, according Gospel, makes one responsible for one’s brothers and sisters. Here at the Valponasca, Maria Mazzarello nurtured her religious vocation and brought it to to maturity, even though she didn’t know how she could ever realise it.
The old Valponasca farm, where "Main" (as Maria was fondly called) lived the decisive years of her adolescence, had to belong to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, as a precious remembrance. It was acquired on April 25, 1986 by a notarial act, and was immediately restored according to a fitting design. Care was taken to preserve the original structures as far as possible and while at the same time adapting it for the numerous pilgrims and groups who come here in prayer, in silence and reflection to discover the roots of a sound spirituality. The work of restoration was concluded in 1988.