For the first time, a Catholic Deaf Eucharistic Congress will take place at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Pilgrimage Church in Maryland. Scheduled for April 4-6, the gathering will unite approximately 230 deaf Catholics in prayer and contemplation of the Eucharist, according to Fr. Mike Depsik—one of the world’s few deaf priests.

Fr. Depsik, who serves as chaplain for the deaf community within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, has been instrumental in fostering the growth of deaf Catholic outreach in Maryland and beyond. He emphasized that a vast majority of deaf individuals do not receive Holy Communion, and this specialized Eucharistic Congress aims to foster greater inclusion and active participation.

Citing statistics that reveal 96% of deaf individuals, including baptized Catholics, do not attend church due to the lack of American Sign Language-accessible services, Fr. Depsik highlighted the unique mission of the event. The Congress is specifically designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing Catholics, as well as individuals who are blind, deafblind, or involved in deaf ministry.