Milan–
days ahead of the Winter Paralympics When disabled athletes take center stage at the Milan Cortina Games, a choir from Northern Italy A pop music concert performed inside the Sant’Antonio, Milan, church calling for harmony and inclusion – especially for people with disabilities.
About 70 teenagers and adults in the Terzo Tempo choir travelled from the neighbouring town of Abietegrasso for their February 18 performance, titled “Like Yeast in the Dough”. This created a gospel image that reflected the spirit of the project: a discerning presence that helps anyone rise from within.
The choir’s concert in Milan formed part of the Archdiocese’s strategy to deliver Olympic and Paralympic moments of Christian values.
“Olympics and Paralympics – these are not something that simply pass over our heads, but something that also touches our lives,” said the Rev. Stefano Guidi, head of Milan’s Archdiocese service for oratory and sports.
The Catholic Church of Milan created a special branch in 2021 that focuses on raising awareness about inclusion. Its work extends to local parishes and communities, encouraging a welcoming environment for all, disabled and non-disabled.
“If we focus only on organising things for people with disabilities, we risk isolation,” said the Rev. Mauro Santoro, who leads the office with 13 volunteers. “Instead, we try to bring everyone together – children’s catechism, sports, the simplest activities – because this is true inclusion.”
The work of the Catholic Church with youth in Italy depends largely on oratory, parish spaces where children and teenagers gather after school for sports and recreational activities. These spaces also include training for the inclusion of people with disabilities and discussions about the values associated with the Paralympics, Santoro said.
“There is testimony from athletes, including Paralympians,” he said. “The real challenge is to change the game so that everyone can play well and participate.”
This goal was reflected in the choir’s concert in Sant’Antonio. The repertoire was in Italian and English and also included Congolese samba – a choice aimed at diversifying and expressing the values associated with the Olympic spirit.
Choir director Sylvia Gatti said, “We tried to choose songs that talk about the desire to achieve something and continued commitment because that’s what really matters beyond the result.” “These are values that athletes believe in, but they should relate to everyone.”
The choir, whose motto is “Where singing is unity, passion, freedom and joy”, welcomes participants of all backgrounds and encourages children to sing along with the 70s people.
In past performances, the choir has addressed themes such as peace and protesting violence against women, underscoring its community-focused mission.
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