For the first time in U.S. history, Deaf Catholics gathered for a unique Eucharistic Congress, held at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland, from April 4–6, 2025. This historic event brought together more than 200 Deaf Catholics from across the country to worship, pray, and honor the Eucharist in a setting designed specifically for their needs.
The congress was a response to the lack of accessible liturgies and spiritual resources for the Deaf community. Father Mike Depcik, one of the few Deaf priests in the United States, was instrumental in organizing the event, focusing entirely on Deaf Catholics and their unique needs. According to Father Depcik, surveys have found that 96% of Deaf individuals do not attend church due to the lack of services available in American Sign Language (ASL) (EWTN News Nightly). To fill this gap, the congress featured ASL Masses, adoration, confession, and presentations, all conducted in sign language, providing attendees with the opportunity to experience the fullness of the Catholic faith in a way that was accessible and meaningful to them.
The congress was not only a celebration of the Eucharist but also a powerful opportunity for fellowship and connection. As Sister Kathleen Monica Schipani, an organizer of the event and director of the Office of Persons with Disabilities and Deaf Apostolate for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, explained, “We as Catholics love to communicate with each other and be inspired by the faith of another person who speaks your language, whether it’s English or Spanish. The Deaf community are the same way — they want to interact not only with the person presenting but with one another, and [to] pray together in the language that they love and cherish” (EWTN News Nightly).
The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a frequent gathering place for Deaf Catholics, provided an ideal location for the congress. The shrine is known for hosting retreats, including a Lenten retreat for the Deaf community, and is located near the K–8 Maryland School for the Deaf. This proximity made it an ideal location for those seeking to deepen their faith in a setting that embraced their language and culture.
Father Sean Loomis, a chaplain for the Deaf Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, spoke to the powerful connection between ASL and Catholic theology. He described the event as “incarnational,” noting that ASL allows the Deaf community to use their whole bodies in communication. “Because ASL allows the Deaf community to command more of their body and to employ it in the interaction with other people, the theology of the Incarnation becomes explosive,” Father Loomis said (EWTN News Nightly). Through ASL, the Gospel becomes “alive,” not merely translated into signs but expressed through the body in a dynamic, meaningful way.
Throughout the event, Deaf Catholics found community and shared their experiences. Jeannine Adkins, a Deaf Catholic from Topeka, Kansas, shared her passion for the Eucharist and its healing power. She explained, “When we’re together, we have a common bond and we can help each other, and we want to bring people to Jesus” (EWTN News Nightly). As part of her digital ministry platform, DeafCatholicMom, Adkins translates Catholic resources into sign language to share with others, helping to inspire a return to church and active participation in the faith.
The success of this inaugural event has led to hopes that it will become an annual gathering for Deaf Catholics. Sister Kathleen emphasized the importance of creating spaces where the Deaf community can fully participate in the life of the Church, saying, “People who have disabilities or who are Deaf are overlooked in that body and access isn’t provided. So when it is really provided, I think we’re a fuller expression of the body of Christ, and I think Jesus is really pleased” (EWTN News Nightly).
The Deaf Eucharistic Congress was a historic moment for the Deaf Catholic community, providing a sacred space where their faith and culture were honored. As the event grows, it promises to be a powerful witness to the Church’s commitment to inclusivity and the dignity of all its members.
