We are Carla and Sante, parents of four children. Benedetta, our third, lives with a disability.
Benedetta was born in 1981 with a rare syndrome that affects both her cognitive and physical development. She attends a day center for people with disabilities and receives rehabilitative treatment on a regular basis. There is currently no pharmaceutical therapy for her condition.
From the beginning, we accepted God's design for our family and welcomed it, though not without struggle. When Benedetta was born, we had two sons. Exactly a year later, Veronica arrived.
We came to know Faith and Light almost by chance—or rather, by providence. Our parish priest shared his own experience from a previous parish, and we immediately sensed an opportunity to open ourselves to other families. We moved quickly to learn more.
The "Maria Immacolata" community was born in Pantigliate, our town, on December 8, 2007. Nearly eight years later, we can say that Faith and Light has been—and remains—a grace for us and for the many who now attend regularly.
The gifts Faith and Light has brought are countless, both for our family and our community.
First, we have changed the way we see and love those who are fragile. Before joining the community, we saw only Benedetta. But gradually, we began to regard with wonder all those who carry disability. Now we understand something essential: each of us is unique, irreplaceable, and loved by the Father, who has a deeply personal plan of love for every one of us.
We have learned to thank the Lord for entrusting Benedetta to us, and for continuing to trust us to care for her. She has opened doors to countless encounters in our lives. Through her, we have deepened our faith—on pilgrimages where we asked for her healing but discovered instead that she was healing us; through prayer groups; through Faith and Light itself. She has sharpened our sensitivity and attention to others. Through Benedetta, we have woven friendships with our neighbors and celebrated together.
Now we know that living with someone with a disability is not being "unfortunate." It is being privileged. Where there is fragility, God's presence becomes more powerful. The Lord tells us that when we are weak, we are strong—strong in Him, who holds us and takes our hand.
Before Faith and Light, we were somewhat isolated. Now we have opened ourselves and can even ask friends for help caring for Benedetta. Asking for help is an act of humility that lets us touch our own needs and limits. This is certainly a fruit of the journey we are making.
At each gathering in our community, after we reflect on the evening's theme—sometimes vigorously, always engaged—we leave space for sharing.
This is the heart of it. Each person opens his or her heart with honesty and freedom to say what they are living and how the word reflected that evening has touched them.
Beautiful and moving stories emerge. There is a brotherhood and sisterhood that allows people to speak without fear of judgment, knowing that their brothers and sisters will receive and cherish the gift they offer. We grow together in friendship, in faith, in solidarity.
Another fruit slowly ripening is our fourth moment (see p. 32). We live this especially with a little girl facing a severe, disabling condition. We do all we can to offer "closeness" to her and her mother. But this aspect needs to develop, and our team often reflects on better ways to live it out.
As a community, we have always placed ourselves under Mary's care and continue to ask for her protection and blessing, and to know God's will for us. With her "protection," we move forward.
Thanks be to God for inventing Faith and Light!
Carla and Sante Campion Pantigliate - Un Fiume di Pace