Șimleu Silvaniei, Sălaj County, Romania, October 21, 2026
Photo: episcopiasalajului.ro
A new day center for children with disabilities has opened in northwestern Romania, named for a saint who lost her husband and sons to martyrdom but never stopped helping the needy.
His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj blessed the St. Lady Maria Brâncoveanu Day Center for the Recovery of Children with Disabilities on Monday. The diocese’s social facility will serve children with disabilities from Sălaj County and their families, the diocese reports.
After the service of the blessing of water, Bishop Benedict gave a sermon on caring for vulnerable people as a concrete expression of Christian love. Drawing on St. Paul’s image of the Church as a body in 1 Corinthians, he said a community’s well-being depends on the attention given to each member, especially those who are suffering. Beyond specialized therapies, he said, the center aims to give children and their families the experience of genuine care.
He recalled how St. Lady Maria, the center’s patron, overcame the suffering caused by the martyrdom of her husband and sons and continued to devote herself to education and to helping those in need.
A team of specialists at the center provides psychological and psychopedagogical therapies, speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and special education, according to each child’s needs. Parents and caregivers also receive counseling and support so they can continue recovery activities at home.
The project targets 132 children with disabilities from Sălaj County who are to receive recovery services and therapies. It also provides support for at least 60 parents and caregivers. One of its targeted results is for at least 77 of the participating children to show progress, especially in personal independence, skill development and participation in community life.
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