The CARF Foundation's charity flea market stirs hearts. This, at least, is what happened to Mercedes Castaño, a woman who happened to pass by the flea market by chance. She bought a raffle ticket for a print by a well-known artist. And she won. A luck that had never happened in her life. She was so excited that she wanted to learn more about the work of the CARF Foundation.
"Our guest had no idea what the CARF Foundation was or where the CARF funds were going. solidarity market. But she stopped by the store and bought a ballot. Now she is very excited and wants to know more about the destination of your small contribution: the financing of study and maintenance grants for the formation of seminarians, diocesan priests, religious men and women studying in Rome and Pamplona. And also, of course, to pay for one of our most precious icons: the sacred vessel backpacks"Carmen, one of the people in charge of the Board of Trustees of the CARF Foundation and of the charity market, tells us.
In its 28th edition, held from November 26 to 30 at the premises of the parish of St. Louis de los Franceses, at 9 Padilla Street, once again this year this flea market welcomed close to 1,000 people, and both Carmen and Rosana, presidents of the Patronato, were a bit worried about some changes that took place in the last dates of their organization.
"We are delighted because I think that about a thousand people in total have passed at some point in the market, which this year has lasted fewer days than in previous editions. It has been a delight. In addition, we have had almost 50 volunteers, and some men too!", says Carmen.
But, above all, something that gives great satisfaction to all the people who collaborate in this charity market is that they are helping the formation of priests and seminarians.
As Rosana explains, this year they were a little worried because they had to change the days of the week on which the flea market is always organized. "It had worked very well for us to start on a Friday and finish on a Wednesday. This year, however, we opened on a Tuesday and finished on Saturday, because on Sunday the parish needed the space for their catechesis. But it was also a success. Saturday afternoon-evening, the fifty volunteers helped pick everything up. What a great help."
The charity market of the CARF Foundation, organized by the volunteers of the Patronato de Acción Social, is an annual event that is organized to raise funds for study grants for the formation of seminarians and diocesan priestsreligious men and women studying at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, and in the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra.
Every year, they offer for sale valuable objects and other more economical ones, always advised by a network of experts to help assess furniture, pictures, kitchenware, cutlery, etc. and thus set an appropriate price.
"This year has sold very well. furniture we have restored and painted thanks to a restorer who has left some beautiful wooden tables. They sold phenomenally well," says Carmen.
Vintage clothing is also a classic at the flea market. which sells very well. "But in addition to the models we put on sale, such as skirts, dresses, pants, jackets, coats, etc., we have a very good saleswoman who accompanies every lady and young person, and people are delighted. The baby clothes, hand-knitted by our collaborators, have also been a great success," says Rosana.
This year, the flea market had a very special guest: the influencer Carla Restoy, who, at only 28 years old, is revolutionizing social networks with his message about life, marriage and faith.
Carla thought the flea market was wonderful, especially because of its transcendental dimension: collaborate with study aids for the formation of priests and seminarians, as well as to defray the costs of the backpacks of sacred vessels that are given to seminarians prior to their ordination to the priesthood, when they return to their countries of origin.
"Thank you all for contributing once again to the formation of seminarians, diocesan priests, religious men and women by buying a little something at our annual flea market. We have managed to raise about 35,000 euros. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts", concluded Carmen and Rosana, encouraging everyone not to miss the next date of the charity market.
Marta Santín, Journalist specializing in religious information
