Soft morning light filtered through the windows of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac, Maryland on Oct. 26, brightening white vestments at the altar and the faces of worshippers gathered in prayer. Some signed their responses in American Sign Language as hymns filled the sanctuary, where families, clergy, and parishioners came together for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s 16th annual White Mass. Celebrated by Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, the liturgy affirmed the dignity of every person and the shared call to holiness received at Baptism.
Sponsored by the archdiocese’s Office of Deaf and Disability Ministries, the White Mass takes its name from the color of the baptismal garment, a sign of Christian dignity and new life in Christ. White also symbolizes being cleansed from sin and clothed in Christ, reminding the faithful of the universal call to holiness shared by all the baptized.
Father Mark Knestout, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, welcomed parishioners and guests, saying the celebration honors “everyone who has all sorts of gifts to offer to the Church.”
Deacon Matthew Menard of St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown assisted at the altar, and his son, Timothy Menard, served as cantor. The first reading was proclaimed in American Sign Language by Brian Pazmino, and the second was read in Braille by Vivian Fridas.
Throughout the liturgy, prayer was expressed in both spoken word and in sign language. Some worshippers signed the responses and verses of hymns, their movements mirroring the cadence of prayer across the congregation. Among them was Kristi Hall, who signed the words of the liturgy to her 10-year-old daughter, Teresa, who is Deaf and visually impaired due to a genetic disorder.
The Halls, parishioners of St. Joseph Church in Beltsville, Maryland said the Mass reflects a growing awareness of inclusion within the Church. Felipe Hall, Teresa’s father, noted progress in parish catechesis and accommodations for people with disabilities. “Awareness is the most important thing, because that enables change and growth,” he said. “Our church has really worked with us in catechism for our daughter, and we’ve been very grateful for that.”
He added that wider awareness of archdiocesan resources could help families find support. “Sometimes people just don’t know where to turn or what’s available,” he said. “Connecting those resources would be a great thing.”
Kristi Hall said she values the White Mass for the visibility and affirmation it offers families like theirs. “It really places the focus on the dignity of every human person,” she said. “Mothering Teresa has given me a stronger and deeper faith.”
When asked how others can best support families like theirs, Felipe Hall’s answer was simple. “Just treat us as people,” he said. “Just come to us and talk.”
During the Mass, Father Patrick Mullan, chaplain for St. Francis Deaf Catholic Church and Gallaudet University Campus Ministry, signed throughout the liturgy, at times raising his hand in the American Sign Language gesture for “I love you,” where the letters I, L, and Y combine in one motion.
Seeing as God sees
In his homily, Cardinal McElroy reflected on what it means to live within what he described as “the order of grace.” Drawing from the 2011 film The Tree of Life by director Terrence Malick, he contrasted the “order of nature,” which struggles and competes, with the “order of grace,” which perceives the presence of God in everyday life.
“The Christian life, in its essence, is understanding that we are all called to follow the order of grace,” Cardinal McElroy said. “To see God’s presence all around us, to savor it, to not get lost in the hard things and tough realities of the world, but rather to see God’s little miracles that are put there for us each day.”
The cardinal told the congregation that this call is especially visible in the lives of people with disabilities, whose witness reveals the face of God in distinctive ways. “We are gathered here today to give witness to that reality,” he said. “That the order of grace embraces every man and woman and child equally, and God is revealed equally in the life of every human person, from conception onward to natural death.”
Members of the disability community led the Prayers of the Faithful, offering intercessions for Church leaders, first responders, those with disabilities, and the sick and deceased. Before the final blessing, Cardinal McElroy thanked Mary O’Meara, executive director of the Archdiocesan Office of Deaf and Disability Ministries, and others for their work toward inclusion.
Growing a Church of belonging
Reflecting on the celebration, Mary O’Meara said, “My hope is that people who are Deaf or live with a disability, and their families left the White Mass with a renewed sense of belonging. This celebration was a visible reminder that they are not only welcomed, but truly cherished and valued as active agents of the Body of Christ. Their gifts, their faith, and their witness enrich the life of the Church and help us all see more clearly the beauty of God’s love made visible in every person.”
O’Meara said parish and diocesan life have evolved in recent years as the archdiocese has strengthened its commitment to inclusion. “We’ve really witnessed a beautiful evolution in parish life and diocesan ministry,” she said. “More parishes are recognizing that inclusion is not just about accessibility, it’s about belonging.”
She said parish leaders have formed disability and mental health ministries, created sensory-friendly liturgies, and ensured interpreters are available so Deaf and hard of hearing parishioners can participate fully in worship. “We have passed through a time of making buildings accessible and moved on to making hearts accessible,” O’Meara said. “Including persons who are Deaf and those with disabilities should be an ordinary part of parish life, not something special or on the side, but naturally integrated into the life of the Church.”
At the diocesan level, she said, collaboration has expanded through partnerships with community organizations and new formation programs for clergy and catechists. “The most moving part has been watching attitudes shift from seeing disability as a limitation to recognizing it as a gift that strengthens the entire Church,” O’Meara said.
She added that this approach draws from the concept of Universal Design, which ensures programs and initiatives are created from the start to include all persons without later adaptation. “We all belong to the Body of Christ without any barriers, structural or attitudinal,” she said.
O’Meara said accessibility extends beyond physical accommodations. “True accessibility goes far beyond ramps and elevators. It’s about opening hearts,” she said. “Parish communities grow in accessibility when they see every person as a reflection of Christ, not as a project or a problem to be solved.”
She said spiritual and pastoral accessibility begin with listening. “Spiritually, this means shaping our worship, catechesis, and community life so that everyone can encounter God in a way that is meaningful to them,” she said. “Pastorally, it means listening to persons with disabilities and their families about what helps them feel welcomed, respected, and valued.”
“When parishes make space for people’s gifts, ensure communication access, and celebrate everyone’s presence at the table,” O’Meara said, “the whole Church becomes more faithful to the Gospel.”
James Malloy, the president of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, attended the Mass and reflected on how the Church continues to serve people on the margins. “From the beginnings of Catholic social teaching, the traditional role of the Church has been to reach out to those who are marginalized, to those who might be left behind, and to make sure that we are sending an unambiguous signal about the value and dignity of every person,” he said.
He added that people of all backgrounds recognize the Church as a bridge of compassion. “People see us as that bridge that can reach out to anyone, to lift them and to recognize that this is a key role of the Catholic Church, and one we’ve always had,” Malloy said.
The Archdiocese’s Office of Deaf and Disability Ministries, part of the Secretariat for Evangelization and Synodal Renewal, provides pastoral care, formation, and advocacy throughout the archdiocese. It serves Catholics who are Deaf or hard of hearing, blind, low vision, or Deaf and blind, and supports those living with developmental differences or chronic illnesses.
The office also assists parents who receive an unexpected prenatal diagnosis, veterans with war-related injuries, and people living with mental illness. Through partnerships with parishes and schools, it promotes the full participation of every person in the sacramental life of the Church.
For those gathered at Our Lady of Mercy Church, the White Mass was a celebration of belonging that echoed Cardinal McElroy’s call to “stop and understand the glory that lies around us … and savor and see the beauty, see the richness, and see the face of God.”
Parish communities seeking to grow in inclusion are encouraged to contact the Archdiocese of Washington’s Office of Deaf and Disability Ministries at specialneedsministry@adw.org or 301-853-4560.
