Milan Church Concert Promotes Inclusion Ahead of 2026 Winter Paralympics
In a powerful prelude to the 2026 Winter Paralympics, a choir from northern Italy delivered a pop music concert inside Milan's historic Sant'Antonio church, championing harmony and inclusion, particularly for individuals with disabilities. The performance, held on February 18, 2026, aimed to foster unity in communities beyond the athletic competition, highlighting the broader social impact of the upcoming Milan Cortina Games.
Choir Performance Embraces Diverse Repertoire
The Terzo Tempo choir, comprising around 70 teenagers and adults from the neighboring city of Abbiategrasso, presented a concert titled "Like Yeast in the Dough." This theme draws on a Gospel metaphor symbolizing a discreet presence that helps everyone rise from within, reflecting the project's core spirit of subtle yet transformative inclusion. The repertoire featured songs in Italian, English, and included a Congolese samba, deliberately chosen to diversify the musical experience and convey values associated with the Olympic spirit.
Silvia Gatti, the choir's director, explained the selection process: "We tried to choose songs that speak about the desire to achieve something and about constant commitment because that is what really matters beyond the result. These are values that athletes believe in, but they should concern everyone." The choir's motto, "Where singing is unity, passion, freedom and joy," underscores its commitment to welcoming participants from all backgrounds, encouraging intergenerational collaboration where children sing alongside individuals in their seventies.
Archdiocese Strategy Leverages Olympic Moment
The concert formed a key part of the Archdiocese of Milan's strategy to harness the Olympic and Paralympic moment to impart Christian values. Rev. Stefano Guidi, who heads the Archdiocese's Service for Oratories and Sport, emphasized the significance: "The Olympics and the Paralympics are not something that simply passes over our heads, but something that also touches our lives." This initiative aligns with the Catholic Church's broader efforts to integrate inclusion into parish life, moving beyond segregated activities to foster genuine community engagement.
In 2021, Milan's Catholic Church established a special branch focused on raising awareness of inclusion, led by Rev. Mauro Santoro and 13 volunteers. Santoro highlighted the approach: "If we focus on organizing things only for people with disabilities, we risk segregation. Instead, we try to bring everyone together — children's catechism, sports, the simplest activities — because this is true inclusion." This work extends through local parishes and communities, creating welcoming environments for both disabled and non-disabled individuals.
Inclusion Rooted in Parish and Community Life
The Catholic Church's engagement with young people in Italy heavily relies on oratories, parish spaces where children and teenagers gather after school for sports and recreational activities. Within these settings, training programs to involve people with disabilities and discussions on values connected to the Paralympics are actively promoted. Santoro noted: "There are testimonies from athletes, including Paralympians. The real challenge is to change the game so everyone can play well and participate."
This community-focused mission is further evidenced by the choir's previous performances, which have addressed themes such as peace and opposition to violence against women. By leveraging the platform of the 2026 Winter Paralympics, the initiative aims to inspire lasting change, ensuring that the spirit of inclusion resonates long after the Games conclude. The concert at Sant'Antonio church serves as a poignant reminder that athletic events can catalyze broader social unity, encouraging societies to embrace diversity and collective empowerment.
