The United Nations declared 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons. On January 1st, the Pope spoke on behalf of all people of goodwill, calling them to open their hearts and arms to welcome, support, and love their disabled brothers and sisters.
In that message, he also mentioned a pilgrimage to Lourdes—but due to a mix-up in information, he spoke of the pilgrimage that took place in '71 (when Fede e Luce was born) instead of the one planned for Easter '81.
A mistake sent from above?
I reflected on this error, smiling. Anyone who knows something of Fede e Luce's life and how we prepare our gatherings will understand why. How many times have we thought we had worked out every detail, only to arrive at the meeting and find someone or something that didn't fit what we had expected? Small mistakes that ended in great laughter, because our dearest friends have taught us not to take ourselves too seriously.
It happened to the Pope too. When he wanted to speak of us, he also made a mistake.
Thanks to his error, my mind drifted back to 1971. I went back through the early issues of our magazine, *Insieme*: hesitant first steps, modest gatherings, meetings, small get-togethers, camping trips. Names of friends separated only by distance. Names of new friends.
I thought back on those years with the joy you feel remembering childhood. Back then, we rarely spoke of "disabled persons." Our children had waited so long, wrapped in so much silence, for anyone to care.
This year will see an explosion of attention: conferences, national and international forums, debates, services, new laws, articles everywhere.
Lord, have mercy. So many words. Too many.
Help us stay small and humble on this journey we began with difficulty, taking small steps, with joy and effort and suffering, but with that spirit of childhood that we hope will stay with us all through 1981.
Then yes, we will take each other's hands again and live a year made of small daily gestures, quiet moments, real encounters. We will sing again—with eyes wide open—that *together*, even the greatest sorrows, sometimes beyond words, we can carry better. Because with You, our only strength and light, we will begin again the road that leads us to Lourdes, and beyond Lourdes, past the International Year of Disabled Persons, to wherever You lead us, every day—and where sometimes You pause to wait for us, smiling, because the way, at times, is hard.
Mariangela Bertolini, 1981