Toscolano Maderno’s Charitable Legacy: From Past Benefactors to Modern Initiatives
Most often, the history of one’s land is explored through the events that involved it, the sacred or Remarkable buildings for architecture, and the surviving works of art. However, there is an equally precious aspect, but lacking an obvious seat because it dwells in the human heart, capable of inspiring ideas and gestures that benefit the most needy. This is the case in Toscolano Maderno, where a deep sense of human fraternity and religious piety is deeply rooted.
The memory of benefactors and charitable activity over time
It has already been noted that “in the tombstone placed in the former town hall, not all benefactors nor the main ones are remembered”: and it couldn’t have been otherwise, because many generous individuals worked quietly, and because the path of goodness has distant origins and is therefore difficult to document. As when, alongside the pieve churches, piety orphanages arose capable of welcoming passing the poor, Jews, Protestants, converted Muslims, redeemed slaves traveling the world accompanied by commendatities or letters from bishops and overseers, or even from His Holiness.
The activity of those friars who in the thirteenth century built their house and the little church for Religion of Maderno, profaned but still present within the foundational walls, has not yet been fully narrated; they restored the vast area near the lake, making it productive for the benefit of locals called to work there and their poor families.
Public office also clearly demonstrates participation: evidence is found in the decision of the Maderno Council in 1547 to establish the Monte di Pietà, operational with its own notary, a pawnshop and a treasurer: the aim was to prevent the neediest from falling into the hands of money lenders.
The initiative appears commendably prompt within the provincial context, especially considering that the first Monti di Pietà established in Lombardy emerged in Milan and Mantova in 1483, and later in Brescia in 1490.
The role of the hamlets and private charity
In composing the centuries-old charitable mosaic of Toscolano, it is also necessary to consider the numerous hamlets (Cecina, Gaino, Messaga, Roina…), where in the past, isolation made life more arduous, making it harder to recognize needs and address them. When public intervention was absent or insufficient, private charity became essential to support religious individuals who, in turn, distributed what they collected to the needy.
But more than the benefices and donations for churches, chapels, and their leaders—often driven by devotion to hold requiem Masses, restore, and adorn places of worship—or the construction of new ones, it was the initiatives and grants aimed at educating youth and ensuring a peaceful old age that were most valuable.
Charitable and educational activities in the 16th century
In this context, the work of D. Francesco Grisetta, who at the beginning of the XVI century established what is considered the first school in Toscolano, is commendable; he was followed honorably by Bartolomeo Gozzi and his confreres. The memory of Daniele Setti from 1504 recounts his donation of a quantity of wheat to be distributed to the poor of Maderno and the donation of a house with an orchard to the Comune.
In 1552, Bartolomeo Tononi generously secured bread for the poor for an entire year; the same providence was granted by Luca Setti in a document from 1579, also including the distribution of wine. Slightly earlier, in 1573, Bartolomeo, the late Giulio Monselice, by investing his assets in some religious individuals, obliged them to teach Italian and Latin grammar to the youth…
These are just some of the many episodes noted over time, during which S. Carlo Borromeo, who also acted in Toscolano Maderno during the pastoral visit of 1580, scolded those who, having enriched their church and parish house, had not paid due attention to the less fortunate. (continues)