A significant contribution arrived this past month: the latest issue of Civiltà Cattolica—the prestigious and widely read Jesuit journal directed by Antonio Spadaro—published a reflection by Justin Glyn titled "Us," Not "Them": Disability in the Church. The Namibian Jesuit argues that physical and intellectual disability reveal the limits inherent to all humanity, limits that Christ himself assumed in the Incarnation. Glyn addresses many aspects—not all necessarily ones we might agree with, but all of them vital to the essential conversation they spark (spirituality and disability was the theme of our issue 3/2019). This is a conversation we need to keep alive and push forward. That's why we've asked for an initial response from Stefano Buttinoni, author of a recent book on the subject, which Cristina Tersigni reviews here. Two voices—Glyn and Buttinoni—each approaching the celebrated concept of inclusion in different ways, a concept that remains largely hollow in practice.
"Do you think there's such a thing as clothing for disabled people?" Valentina Tomirotti, a "journalist in wheels" (as she describes herself), asked on Twitter recently. That question is where we started when we decided to devote our focus in issue 1/2020 to the relationship between fashion and disability. In investigating how to build paradigms and practices that are truly inclusive, we discovered something striking: while much work remains, possibilities that seemed unimaginable just years ago are now opening up. Consider Gerber's choice of Lucas, a child with Down syndrome, as a testimonial; the importance of self-care; the emergence of mannequins in wheelchairs and fabrics designed for people with autism; and Jillian Mercado, who felt shut out by a world she loved and became one of its stars instead. In our sections, Silvia Gusmano writes in Testimony about her "second first day of school" (how Faith and Light shaped her work as a teacher), while in Entertainment Cristina Tersigni presents the first of four documentaries titled The Body of Love, devoted to the difficult and crucial subject of affection and sexuality in disability. As always, we open with an interview—this time with Maria Goffi, a ceramics enthusiast and lover of bold challenges with an "unusual face."
Our special on Cinema and Disability expands with a contribution from Armando D'Amato, a film lover from the day center La Fabbrica dei Sogni, and with the presentation of the rich dossier our French cousins at Ombres et Lumière devoted to the topic in issue 232 of their magazine.
Benedetta's Blog
Me, Lorenza, and the Prosciutto
I don't know if I like shopping. I really don't. I haven't figured it out. No clue. Everyone tells me to take some money and go to the store and buy something. But why should I do that? I don't know. But in the end I go anyway. Keep reading...
Events
Rome – To mark Il Carro's 30th anniversary, the organization is offering a three-part series exploring the foundational themes of their group home experience. The first event is March 8; registration closes March 1.
In theaters – The documentary Lourdes, directed by Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai, arrives in Italy with a preview on February 11 at Institut Français - Centre Saint-Louis in Rome, then in select theaters February 24–26.
Rome – The community Il Chicco of L'Arche presents the concert Leadership with the Beatles on February 20 at 6:30 p.m., at via Ancona 1, Ciampino (RM).
Naples – Ten years after the Verona edition, the National Deaf Association is organizing the Third National Conference on Deafness from February 20–22. The program covers the latest scientific research and sociocultural perspectives in hearing disability. Registration closes February 14.
Faith and Light News
The Festival of Light celebrations have begun: Rome, Milan, Naples, and Bari held theirs last Sunday, and photos are already posted on the Faith and Light website.
The Edelweiss community in Messina shared a video of moments from their Christmas retreat, held January 2–4. The theme was "Journey."
On Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8, the San Gregorio community will perform A Christmas Carol at the Church of Santa Silvia in Rome. All the details are here.