April 14, 2025 - Archbishop to Celebrate Mass with Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf

Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrim of Hope Mass

“Disability, in all its forms, represents a challenge and an opportunity to build together a more inclusive and civil society where family members, teachers and associations like yours are not left alone but are supported”- Pope Francis 2022 (World Autism Awareness Day)

In celebration of Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope, the Archdiocese of Boston is hosting a special Mass honoring persons with disabilities and the Deaf community. Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Richard Henning on Sunday, April 27th at 1:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston. This Mass will include a sensory-friendly space, ASL interpreters, Braille and large print worship aides, and a designated drop and pick up location with volunteers ready to assist families with entry into the Cathedral.

Participants and their families have an opportunity to participate in the liturgy as altar servers, lectors, gift bearers, and greeters. Families across the Archdiocese are invited to attend and encouraged to register in advance for planning purposes.

Archbishop Henning said, “I would like to personally invite you and your families to Mass to celebrate persons with disabilities and the Deaf community on Divine Mercy Sunday. Each person is a unique gift to humanity. Let us give thanks for the gift of every human life through our Eucharistic celebration."

Recognizing that 96% of deaf people do not attend any church service, the Archdiocese of Boston established the Deaf Apostolate (Link here). Fr. Shawn Carey, Director of the Deaf Apostolate and Pastor of St. Jude Parish in Waltham, MA, was ordained as the Commonwealth's first deaf priest in 2007. 

This past April 4-6, the first-ever Eucharistic Congress for the Catholic Deaf community was held at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Maryland.

Through its Ministry with Persons with Disabilities (link here), the Archdiocese provides a number of services and programs to ensure that every human being has the support they need to participate in the life of the Church.

For registration information, contact Family Life Consultant Emily Elliott at 617-746-5756, or Kathryn Griffin at 617-746-5758 or visit https://bit.ly/JubileeMWPWD-DC.