The 41st edition of the Order of Malta International Summer Camp is being held in Javier Castle, Navarre and will last until 10th August, bringing together over 550 young people with disabilities and volunteers aged from 18 to 35. There are 25 countries represented, including for the first time Peru, Mexico and Estonia, while Lebanon returns after a two-year absence due to the ongoing conflict.
For over forty years, the Camp has been one of the Order of Malta’s most significant initiatives, offering hundreds of young people an experience of friendship, inclusion, human and spiritual growth. The location chosen for this edition is particularly symbolic: Javier Castle is the birthplace of Saint Francis Xavier, a Spanish Jesuit missionary, one of the greatest evangelizers of the 16th century, whose life, dedicated to reaching out to and serving others, is a worthy example to accompany this 41st Camp.
The Camp was officially opened by Grand Commander Fra’ Emmanuel Rousseau, who offered the participants a reflection inspired by the theme of the 2026 edition, “Surge et ambula” (“Get up and walk”): “This is not a motivational slogan, it does not offer a theory. This approach does not aim to eliminate fragility, but to ensure that no one gets trapped in it”. In his speech, the Grand Commander also recalled that the Camp “is not a welfare initiative, but a temporary community in which each helps the other. And this experience – I am deeply convinced and grateful for it – will transform you more than you can ever imagine.” Also present at the Camp were Grand Hospitaller Josef D. Blotz and the Prelate, Monsignor Luis Manuel Cuña Ramos.
During the opening of the International Summer Camp, there was also a message from Pope Leo XIV, who assured his spiritual closeness to the participants and hoped that this week would represent “an opportunity to contemplate the beauty of God, develop friendships and strengthen the sense of Christian responsibility”. The Pontiff also encouraged young people to respond generously to the Lord’s call to serve others, helping to build “paths of authentic fraternity and peace” in their communities.
The week’s programme continues with sports and recreational activities, cultural visits, workshops, religious celebrations and moments of prayer, offering participants opportunities for meeting and sharing that, as proved by past experiences, often give rise to friendships that are destined to last over time.
