A Day of Service at the Don Orione Cottolengo

On Saturday, June 13, Knights and Dames of the Grand Priory of the Republic of Argentina, OSMTH, paid their first visit to the Don Orione Cottolengo in Los Polvorines, a charitable institution that has provided a permanent home, care, and support for more than sixty women with disabilities for nearly eighty years.

At a time when organizations such as this rely heavily on the generosity and commitment of the community to continue their invaluable work, we wished to offer our time, our efforts, and our compassion, reaffirming that service to others remains one of the purest expressions of the Templar spirit.

Serving with Our Hands and Our Hearts

During the visit, the Knights worked in the institution's vegetable garden, clearing and maintaining the area, preparing the soil for future planting, and bringing new seeds to help enrich the garden. To conclude the activity, they built and installed two new scarecrows, adding not only a practical element but also a touch of creativity and joy to the day.

Meanwhile, the Dames spent a wonderful afternoon with the residents, painting their nails, styling and straightening their hair, and sharing meaningful conversations. These simple acts of personal care created moments of warmth, dignity, and genuine human connection.

The day was further enriched by the participation of students from San Ambrosio Institute, who brought music and songs that filled the home with joy and celebration. Since Argentina was playing in the FIFA World Cup that day, many of the residents chose to have their nails painted light blue and white, proudly supporting the national team and joining in the festive atmosphere shared throughout the country.

In addition to our time and service, we delivered a significant collection of donations, made possible through the generosity of our Knights, Dames, postulants, families, and friends, once again demonstrating that charity is a shared commitment.

The Beginning of a Lasting Relationship

This was our first visit to the Don Orione Cottolengo in Los Polvorines, but we sincerely hope it will be the first of many.

We left with the satisfaction of having contributed in a meaningful way, but even more importantly, with the lessons that selfless service always teaches. Every smile, every conversation, every gesture of kindness, and every task completed reminded us that true knighthood is expressed not only through ceremonies and traditions, but through concrete acts of love and service to those in need.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Don Orione Cottolengo for welcoming us so warmly and allowing us to share this memorable experience. We look forward to returning soon to continue building moments of service, fellowship, and hope together.