For centuries, the Catholic lay religious Order of Malta has cared for the sick, the poor, and people with disabilities. Every year, people worldwide participate in the Order’s traditional Lourdes pilgrimage. Knights, Dames, and volunteers bring sick and disabled people to Our Lady of Lourdes. H.E. Antonio Zanardi Landi, Ambassador of the Order of Malta to the Holy See, also traveled to Lourdes this year.  

“That was great!” he said. “It is a great thing every year. And this year, it was stunning and particularly moving. We had more than 7,000 pilgrims, and I don’t know the exact figure, but I think that at least 800 wheelchairs, so it was quite impressive.”  

“The Order of Malta,” he noted, “is one of the oldest religious orders of Christendom. But after Malta’s loss, they returned to their original charism, healthcare, and assistance, and welcomed in this place.”  

The Ambassador, together with his wife, decided to start a project for the Order in Rome.  

Mrs. Zanardi Landi, as the initiator of the project, shared with EWTN Vatican, “The concept is to help these kids with mental disability, and they’re usually kids who have medium range disability. They’re not severely handicapped. They’re kids who can learn, and probably they can learn to live on their own. At the same time, they will be taught how to run an Airbnb. They will learn some skills that hopefully, after 2 or 3 years, we will help them find a job in a proper hotel in another situation so we can train others.”  

It’s about more than just helping them at the moment but enabling them to live independently.  

The couple collaborates with experts from Cooperativa NAME. They have been helping people with disabilities for a long time and suggested enabling them to learn how to earn a living independently.  

Marco, one beneficiary of the Cooperative, highlighted, “Each of us has a unique trait that keeps us going, and by staying together, we learn to be stronger.”   

One social worker for the Cooperative noted, “Work also means dignity. That is why everyone here aspires to have a job.”  

The idea for touristic apartments was born. Here, Marco and his friends could spend their days supported by tutors and service the apartments.  

“I am very excited to be here and to embark on this journey,” Marco shared, “but most of all, to experience being away from home, so it’s an exercise in responsibility. I feel very proud.”  

But not just any apartment. The initiators discovered that only 2% of available tourist apartments are fit for a wheelchair.  

They decided to build accessible places. Sabina Medici is aware that her project for the Order of Malta is a small initiative. She hopes that others will take notice, especially as more tourist accommodations will be needed for the upcoming Jubilee 2025 in Rome.  

Working with young people with disabilities brings her and her husband much joy. And also, the beneficiaries seem happy.  

Adapted by Jacob Stein  

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