| Light of the Balkans |
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Dear brethren, 129 years ago, brethren Garibaldinians, after their great triumph in Italy, came, risking their own lives, to offer their love and aid to our people in the national uprising in Herzegovina. Subsequently, they came to Belgrade, introducing the light and warmth into the first lodge in Serbia, giving it the name: Lucce dei Balcani (Light of the Balkans). That light had been a light of their bliss, and soon, it attracted those people in Serbia who were able and ready to see it. Here, at our most solemn place, we still can perceive reflections of that very light. Dear brethren, ever since I joined our Lodge ten years ago, I was enjoying the privilege to meet serious and dedicated men in it, and my Lodge was my spiritual home. It was supporting me in overcoming disappointments, discontents and temptations in the hard times that every of us have experienced. It is still the same, but now, there is something more in our Lodge, and that is – joy. Therefore, in my opinion, that was the most appropriate time for us to establish a charity. We were not indifferent for the needy so far, and we used to support the children without parents’ care whenever we could. Their happiness was our reward. We will not forget those children, and we will continue to support them. However, our Charity will enable us to support also others whom we couldn't help with moderate funds of our Lodge. Apart from feeling well from doing well, we should be aware of the responsibility for our decisions, the results of which, if we act generously but wisely, will bi recognized in our society. Let’s find those young persons who wouldn't have a chance of becoming brilliant experts or artists without our aid, let’s gather books and give them to a teacher in some small distant village to establish a library. Let’s organize a concert, an art exposition, where it has never happened so far. And, we should be ready to offer not only money and belongings, but also our time, our care and our love. What we should bring into their lives is – Hope. The Charity we have established will give us the opportunity to act publicly and to show that we are not an obscure closed group, but, on the contrary, the most responsible part of our society. We shall try to fulfil the humanitarian goals that we will determine together, and the name of our Charity will become appreciated and well-known. |
