The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton will host the first-ever “Eucharistic Congress for the Catholic Deaf Community” in Emmitsburg, Maryland, between April 4 and 6. On the first day, participants will have the opportunity to visit Mother Seton Museum, her house, and the Basilica; ASL (American Sign Language) tour guides will be available. Adoration, confessions, and Mass will be held on Saturday, along with presentations by Jeanine Adkins (“The Healing Power of the Eucharist”) and Deacon Pat Graybill (“Eucharist: Holy Ground”). On Sunday, Mass will be held with the local deaf Catholic community in Urbana, Maryland.
The event is being organized by Fr. Mike Depcik, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales who serves as the chaplain for deaf ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is one of the few deaf priests in the world. In an interview with the Catholic News Agency, Fr. Depcik said that “this Deaf Eucharistic Congress is unique and focused entirely on members of the deaf Catholic community, which includes the deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, hearing pastoral workers who engage in deaf ministry, parents of deaf children, etc. We believe this event is going to be a memorable one, since it will be the first time ever for such a Eucharistic Congress specifically by and for deaf Catholics.”