Saturday 16th May; the news was full of protest marches in central London, the FA Cup Final, and Eurovision, but for us at Caritas Deaf Service, this was the day of our annual trip to Walsingham for the Catholic Deaf Association pilgrimage. We gathered at Westminster Cathedral early in the morning and by 7:30a.m. we were on our way, a long day, but a day filled with times of prayer, of quiet reflection, of catching up with friends and with sharing fellowship. We were blessed with a sunny morning and a smooth journey arriving in Walsingham in time for a stroll around and a cup of tea before heading to the Church of the Annunciation for our opening service.
Fr David Quiligotti shared with us the importance of journeying and of letting go so that we can be right with God. When we say “yes” to God as Mary did at the Annunciation we are letting go of earthly things to focus on the Lord.
This year the theme was “Mary our Joy” and as we processed along the Holy mile with the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham held aloft, we contemplated the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
This year we were delighted that Bishop Paul McAleenan from Westminster was leading us on our pilgrimage. By the end of the day Deaf people from all around the country knew what we here at Westminster have known for a long time, Bishop Paul’s signing skills and his affinity with the Deaf Community, is brilliant.
Fr Paul Fletcher SJ explained to us in his homily at our Mass that as well as everything else happening, the 16th May 2026 is also World Communication Day. Communication is so important for all of us, be it in a signed language or a spoken language. We all want to be understood and to understand. On this 7th Sunday of Easter we read that the apostles were preparing for the great Feast of Pentecost, the birth of the Christian church when the apostles went out to communicate the greatest message of all, the Good News of Jesus Christ.
All of us want to be able to receive that message of Good News including the Deaf Community. Throughout the world there are only 13 Deaf men ordained as priests and an estimated 97% of Deaf Christians do not attend church due to a lack of access to signed Masses. If as a Deaf person, you have access to a signed Mass, you are one of the 3% in the world. (Catholic Deaf Association)
We should all be part of the change that needs to happen so that more Deaf people can access Mass in sign language. For more information on making your parishes, Deaf aware please contact the Caritas Deaf Service team either Shell Roca or Sarah Metcalfe or make a donation to our work.
