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Faith Beyond Words: The Rome 2018 Experience

When silence met the Holy Father, and the Church opened its doors to the young Deaf people community.

From a Dream to Reality

2016

DCYIA Board begins to dream:

Could we bring the Deaf community to the heart of the Vatican?

2017

Mission to Rome.

Planning, budgeting, and confirming that the Holy Father would truly meet us.

Early 2018

The "Invisible" Team.

6 months of day-and-night work by volunteers in Mexico and the USA.

The 2018 Rome Diary of DCYIA

June 25 | The Reunion

Participants from Germany, USA, Mexico, Panama, and more gathered for a historic registration.

June 26 | Mass at St. Peter’s

Archbishop Paul Gallagher celebrated Mass interpreted in 5 sign languages. A historic homily on the Mark 7 Gospel.

June 27 | Meeting Pope Francis

The Pope spent time with our group, conversing in sign language. Tears of joy as he met deaf priests and deacons.

June 27 | The Conference

“A Time to Walk with Jesus” at the Augustinian College. Cardinal Turkson called our work a “blue-print” for the Church.

June 28 | Evaluation

A final meal at the Coliseum and a new invitation: Panama 2019.

Walking Together: Our Living Testimony

Daniela Vite - DCYIA Team

The most incredible moment of the pilgrimage was to see that many Deaf people fulfilled the dream of knowing the Holy Father. Seeing those faces filled with joy, faith and love filled my heart; not only on the day of the private audience with the Pope also in each of the planned activities, in which our heart was kindled with gratitude and love for so many blessings received.

It was an incredible experience to be able to interpret the Pope’s words in the audience, perhaps I will not find a word to explain what I felt at that moment but the closest words are peace and a heart full of joy.

You know that God is everywhere and in all the people who send you on your way, that’s why, without a doubt, I know that God has been present in every step that DCYIA has taken.

DCYIA is more than a guide to do a good job in the pastoral work of the Deaf community, it is more than a bond of friendship, DCYIA is FAMILY.

Eduardo Álvarez - Participant

It was a great gift from Pope God to go to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis, many thanks to Chelo and Father Mulcrone for the trip.

The tour of the Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s Basilicas, St. Paul’s, the other churches and also in the City of Rome; everything was beautiful.

The special Mass for the deaf in St. Peter’s Basilica was indescribable and wonderful!

In the Conference and Workshops “Time to walk with Jesus”, it was very interesting. I also had the opportunity to observe the 4 interpreters from different languages (Mexico, USA, Guatemala and Italy) interpreting at the same time.

What a pity that the accommodation of the participants was in different places, I wanted to share with young people from other countries, but the time was short and fast. In the inn where I stayed, I was with the group from Guatemala and two from Mexico. It was a wonderful experience sharing with them.

Again, many thanks to Chelo. God bless you!

Stephanie Yáñez - DCYIA Team

I must accept that I have been fortunate to know another country, Rome. Meeting other deaf people, another culture and knowing that there are opportunities in life, especially where you can support other people and work with them.

I enrich myself spiritually, I draw closer to God. What a surprise to meet a beautiful human being who is the Father, JOE and all the other people.

I felt such a beautiful energy being close to the Pope, Francis. To be in the streets of Rome, all that history is a great learning; God willing we can remain united, supporting and working with all this wonderful group DCYIA.

Thank God for being on this path. I celebrate your existence.