EMMITSBURG, Md. (OSV News) -- In a moment that some thought might never come, Deaf Catholics from across the country stood side by side, hands raised in prayer, signing in unison -- worshipping in their own language at the first-ever Deaf Eucharistic Congress.
Held April 4-6 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, the historic event attracted more than 230 people from 25 states and two countries. Pews were filled as Father Michael Depcik, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales and chaplain for Deaf Ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, welcomed all.
It was a watershed moment for a community that has long faced barriers to participating fully in the life of the Catholic Church.
“Wow. All of the plans and all of the work, and it has come to this today,” Father Depcik said in American Sign Language from the center of the sanctuary, where he stood in front of a black screen while a translator spoke his words aloud in English. “I welcome you to this holy space.”
The idea for the Deaf Eucharistic Congress, he explained to the gathering, started less than two years ago, when excitement was growing for the National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis in July 2024. A fellow friend who was deaf, asked him, “Why not have a Deaf conference?”
“She planted that seed,” said Father Depcik, chairman of the event. “If you have faith, find a little mustard seed. It will grow into a big plant, a tree. It will.”
The weekend event was important, Father Depcik said, as far too often the Deaf population has turned away from the church, due to lack of Deaf priests, interpreters and recognition.
“It’s a challenge for us. It’s hard to be Deaf and Catholic, especially in this day and age,” Father Depcik said. “We need Deaf priests, and we need the support, that’s true, but we need to continue our faith. Jesus loves you and wants to meet you every Sunday. So come meet Jesus and consume him in the Eucharist.”
He noted that the bishops of the United States decided to have a Eucharistic congress last year after learning that statistics showed many Catholics did not understand the meaning of the Eucharist, believing it to be just bread and wine and not the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
“As we come up, we actually meet Jesus, and we consume. That is our faith, and it is sad that many Catholics don’t believe that,” Father Depcik said. “We need the Eucharist. We need Jesus. Without Jesus, we will fail.”
The event’s two featured speakers each spoke about the Eucharist in their presentations.
In her talk, “The Healing Power of the Eucharist,” Jeannine Adkins, creator of both the popular Facebook page Deaf Catholic World and “TheDeafCatholicMom” on YouTube, said receiving the Eucharist helps heal one spiritually, mentally and physically.
“When we go to Mass and celebrate the Eucharist, it is significant we celebrate this mystery,” Adkins said. “It is Jesus.”
She emphasized that it was important to seek help from others, too, be it doctors or friends, to stay healthy.
“God still loves you. God will help you,” Adkins said. “All that we receive, God wants us to celebrate.”
Deacon Patrick Graybill, 85, an actor, poet and teacher based in Rochester, New York, shared memories of his childhood and his journey of faith in his presentation “Eucharist: Holy Ground.”
“I’ve learned so much about God. God never gives up on us,” Deacon Graybill said. “He sent us his Son to show us who he is. Jesus is our role model.”
In an email interview with Catholic Review, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, prior to the congress, Deacon Graybill said he hoped the Deaf community would learn that it “is not isolated from the Body of Christ.”
“The main reason for me to attend the first Eucharistic Congress is that it is geared to the Deaf community and presented in my native language, American Sign Language,” Deacon Graybill wrote. “I hope to gain many new insights over the weekend that will enrich my Catholic faith.”
Margaret and Matthew Whitfield, along with their 1-year-old son, Jasper, traveled from Michigan to learn more about the Eucharist and why it was important.
“With the whole family together, we can feel the love of the Eucharist,” Margaret Whitfield signed, with her father Ed Peters interpreting. She noted how her faith was much stronger since marrying her husband, who became Catholic before they were married.
“Matthew is eager to learn,” she said. “He makes me want to learn with him and our child.”
Matthew Whitfield said the Deaf Eucharistic Congress gave him a “new level of understanding.”
“I grew up really not much of anything,” he said. “It makes more sense, and I want to learn more about Communion.”
For Peters, who can hear, events like the congress “are really helpful.”
“You need to see friends and people. It is pretty cool for us,” Peters said. “As you can see, it is a very visual community.”
After the first round of speakers and Eucharistic adoration, lunch was served. Though there weren’t many words to be heard, the hall was filled with energy as people socialized while enjoying their lunches together.
“It is always important to get the Deaf people together,” said Father David J. Cornett, a priest of the Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio. “They support each other and engage in their faith.”
For Darlene Graham of Michigan, the event was “amazing.”
“There are such challenges in church without signing priests or interpreters,” said Graham, a translator. “Just to see the Deaf community connect in the Holy Spirit and to see the impact of the Eucharist. Jesus is there.”
Then Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski -- the Redemptorist was named bishop of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, two days later -- told the group during the closing presentation that it was a “great blessing and privilege” to be with them during “this historic and wonderful moment ... of witness and testimony.”
“This is a fantastic experience. You hit the ball out of the park,” Bishop Lewandowski said, noting that he had been moved by both speakers. He went on to talk about the Eucharist, and how in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it talks about the Eucharist’s impact on lives.
“Well today, I met the Eucharist and Jesus in you. I really have, and I am really grateful,” Bishop Lewandowski said. “Thank you for this opportunity to share with you.”
In the interview with Catholic Review prior to the congress, Father Depcik said that 99% of Deaf people across all faiths do not go to church due to lack of services. He noted that there were 11 priests attending the Deaf Eucharistic Congress, representing six different states. Of those, four, including himself, were Deaf; the other seven knew ASL and could hear. The need is much greater for either Deaf or signing priests.
While many Catholic churches recognize the needs of their Spanish-speaking populations by offering regularly scheduled Masses and translations of bulletins in Spanish, the same support has not yet been given to the Deaf population, Father Depcik said.
“They don’t understand the unique needs of the Deaf community,” Father Depcik said of the Catholic Church’s leadership, noting that the community can sometimes be neglected and forgotten.
He set two goals for the Deaf Eucharistic Congress; to draw attention to the Deaf community and to have a budget created for Deaf ministries. Already, he can feel the Deaf community’s pride in the congress, as they worked together to make it happen.
“I feel very blessed,” Father Depcik said. “One lady asked about a Deaf congress. Look where we are now. That’s God’s work. We’re excited.”
