Club Avance opens its doors every Sunday to about a hundred friends, parents, and children in a modern, welcoming space in the heart of Madrid. The design is functional and warm—perfect for Sunday afternoons filled with music, dancing, games, and conversation. A small bar run by parents adds to the sense of home and belonging. Much of the club's success comes from the steady support of a team of educators who work with the young people week after week.
Picture a large college building downtown, two hospitable rooms in the basement, people coming and going, young people singing and dancing, parents talking or playing games. That was our Sunday afternoon at Club Avance.
The welcome we received was extraordinary. The moment we arrived, a group of young people came to meet us, eager to include us, to make us feel completely at home. Others practically raced to help Patrick through the door with his heavy wheelchair. Someone announced our arrival at the microphone, followed by applause. We felt important—too important, even—and a little embarrassed.
To be honest, the first moments were almost overwhelming. I'm not used to this kind of atmosphere at a Fede e Luce gathering.
In my group back home, we organize games, activities, songs, and drawing projects while parents meet separately to discuss their concerns with the priest and other leaders. In Madrid, I found myself at a celebration where everything seemed to flow from friendship, joy, and the simple pleasure of being together.
Everyone did what they wanted while music played without stopping.
Soon we found ourselves caught up in that infectious energy. We joined in fully. Spanish songs gave way to Italian ones. There were little games and pantomimes, endless introductions and exchanges of addresses, phrases in languages we weren't entirely sure about, shared with new friends—and suddenly hours had passed.
At the end of the afternoon, a group of young people walked us to our car. As we drove away, we could still see their hands waving goodbye, and we carried with us the joy of having spent those hours at Club Avance—a place where the love and happiness of Madrid's Fede e Luce community comes to life.
Lucia Pennisi, 1977
