Deaf Catholics from Europe gathered in Fatima

The 2nd European Pilgrimage of Deaf People was held at the Sanctuary. The Pope joined the meeting, thanking them for their "testimony of Christian joy".

More than 400 deaf pilgrims of different nationalities gathered at the Sanctuary of Fátima, from 26 to 29 October, for the 2nd European Pilgrimage of Deaf People. The organization of the meeting was initiated by the Deaf Catholics of Europe (CSE) and had the help of the Sanctuary of Fátima and the support of the Pastoral Service for People with Disabilities of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference.

During the three days, the pilgrims got to know the spaces of the Sanctuary and the message of Fátima up close, in a meeting that served to pray and solidify the community, the president of the CSE, Miguel Garcia, told Voz da Fátima.

"We have come to share our faith, love and hope and I hope that after this pilgrimage, deaf Catholics will be able to spread the Word of God

in sign language throughout Europe, pray more, strengthen their faith and participate with greater enthusiasm in the Eucharist and the activities of the Church", said, at the beginning of the meeting, deacon Edison Shadabi, who came from Sweden accompanying a group of 23 pilgrims.

The program included the presentation of a contemporary ballet about the event and the message of Fatima, performed at the Paul VI Pastoral Center, a show designed to be understandable by deaf and hearing people.

The Holy Father also joined this meeting, sending an apostolic blessing to the participants in the pilgrimage, through a message in which he thanked the "testimony of Christian joy" of deaf people, who, he wrote, "teach us to live with our own fragility."

and remember that the presence of God is felt more with faith than with the ears."

André Pereira, director of the Sanctuary's Reception and Pastoral Department, who worked closely in the realization of this pilgrimage, reports, in this edition, the profound experience of encounter and communion lived among the participants, during these days.

This international meeting stood out as an example of the inclusive welcome offered to deaf people at the Sanctuary of Fátima, reinforcing a practice that has been consolidated for over a decade by a dedicated team of Brazilian Sign Language interpreters (ILGP). In this edition, Voz da Fátima reveals the names behind these hands that bring us closer to faith.