Deaf Catholics of Europe

The Pilgrimage in Italy

The pilgrimage of deaf Catholics from across Europe is, for me, a true blessing and a great gift. During it, many have been able to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit and receive the sacraments with deep meaning.

My testimony is that, on this journey, these people discover the authentic life of the saints: a life of faith, devotion and encounter with God. Thanks to sign language, they have been able to understand everything fully.

SPIRITUAL RETREAT

Together with my friend, we set out on a spiritual retreat from Bratislava to Prešov. The program focused on the theme: How to become a good believer. Even the train journey itself suggested that we were in for beautiful experiences.

On Friday, we first visited Deaf Studio, where we were introduced to the premises and learned about how the studio operates. The most powerful experience was meeting a deaf deacon, Edison from Sweden, who shared with us his life story from Iran. His courage and life journey deeply touched us.

After lunch, we prayed the Rosary. We showed older deaf participants how to pray properly, and their enthusiasm was truly contagious. They even wanted to take the prepared materials home so they could keep the prayer with them. In the evening, we took part in the Stations of the Cross in the church, which was filled with peace. After the prayer, we had free time, during which we got to know other deaf participants.

On Saturday morning, we began with the Rosary, Easter confession, and Holy Mass in the chapel of the Franciscan church, celebrated by Father Robert Colotka. Afterwards, we visited the ANEPS Prešov club, where a pleasant surprise awaited us – the anointing with the oil of Saint Charbel. The program continued with a lecture about the difference between a deacon and a priest. Then we returned to the monastery, where we continued our conversations and signed psalms, which inspired us in our further pastoral work with the deaf.

We returned home by night train, full of joy, gratitude, and unforgettable memories.

In conclusion, I would like to thank Mrs. Danka Laffersová for her excellent organization – her care made this spiritual retreat truly exceptional. We are already looking forward to experiencing something similar again.

INFORMATION NOTICES:

PILGRIMAGE OF ROME AND ASSISI (Italy) 09-13 APRIL 2026

PILGRIMAGE INFORMATION 2026

800 year Of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi Franciscan Jubilee Year 2026–2027

POPE LEO XIV PROCLAIMS THE FRANCISCAN JUBILEE YEAR… and grants the grace of the plenary indulgence.Are you devoted to Saint Francis?
This year you can obtain a plenary indulgence anywhere in the world. Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a "Special Year of Saint Francis" on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of his departure to the House of the Father.During this time of grace, which will extend until January 10, 2027, the faithful are granted the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence.The faithful may obtain this grace under the usual conditions of sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope, by making a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church, or to any place of worship dedicated to Saint Francis anywhere in the world.

NEWS:

The Way of the Cross for the Deaf - Father Sándor Nagy's Pastoral Care for the Hearing Impaired - In God's Hands (BUDAPEST)

Deaf people live in society in such a way that the disability they carry, which isolates them from other people like an invisible wall, is not apparent. In fact, in a certain sense, they are also isolated from God, since they did not attend religious education, and in most places, they hear nothing of the mass.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "Faith comes from hearing." That may be so, but what about those who cannot hear? For them, the Church established pastoral care for the hearing impaired.

The leader of this is Father Sándor Nagy in the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest, who was born as the hearing child of deaf parents.

DEAF NEWS