The opening notes of the gospel hymn “Every Praise” filled Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Southeast Washington on Oct. 18 as worshippers clapped to the rhythm, joined their voices in song and signed along in American Sign Language.
“Every praise is to our God,” the congregation sang, filling the pews of the historic African American parish for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s 17th annual White Mass, a celebration honoring the faith, dignity and contributions of people with disabilities, members of the Deaf community and those living with mental health challenges.
Washington Auxiliary Bishop Robert P. Boxie III, the principal celebrant, offered a message of belonging.
“Our Church is more complete and more of who she is because you are here,” Bishop Boxie told those gathered.
Sponsored by the archdiocese’s Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministries, the annual Mass brings together people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, clergy and parish communities to recognize the dignity of every person and the gifts each brings to the Church.
The Mass takes its name from the white baptismal garment, a reminder of the dignity and shared call to holiness received through Baptism. Many attending wore white for the occasion.
Father Patrick Mullan, the chaplain for the Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministries, welcomed the congregation and explained that the first reading would be proclaimed entirely in American Sign Language, without spoken interpretation.
“We want you to experience the way that we do our church,” said Father Mullan, who serves as the chaplain at St. Francis Deaf Catholic Church in Landover Hills, Maryland. “We do Deaf Church every weekend.”
As the lector proclaimed the reading in American Sign Language, the church grew quiet. Worshippers watched the movements of the lector’s hands and facial expressions or read the passage in their programs. Large projection screens displayed the liturgy and sign language interpretation throughout the church.
Gerardo Castillo, one of the sign language interpreters, explained that American Sign Language (ASL) is a distinct language that allows Deaf individuals from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds to communicate. For example, a person raised in a Spanish-speaking household and another raised in a Chinese-speaking household could communicate using ASL if both had learned the language. Sign languages also differ from country to country.
Music filled the church as Our Lady of Perpetual Help’s Perpetual Glory Gospel Choir, joined by singers from St. Teresa of Avila Parish Choir, led the congregation in song. Worshippers clapped to the rhythm, while others, including archdiocesan staff and Father Mullan, signed along.
At the opening of Mass, Bishop Boxie blessed the congregation with holy water in remembrance of Baptism. During his homily, he reflected on the dignity shared by all people as children of God.
“Every single human person ... bears the image of God,” he said. “And that is what we come here to celebrate today.”
Drawing on the day’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, in which Jesus is questioned about paying taxes to Caesar, Bishop Boxie invited worshippers to consider the meaning of the image stamped on a Roman coin.
He described Jesus’ response, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God,” as a “mic-drop moment” and a “theological throwdown.”
The bishop connected the Greek word for image, eikon, from which the word icon is derived, to the Book of Genesis, which teaches that humanity was created in the image and likeness of God.
“We reflect the divine image which has been stamped, which has been imprinted, which literally has been branded ... on your soul and my soul,” he said.
That image, Bishop Boxie explained, is present in every person, regardless of physical or intellectual ability, health or circumstances.
“We all possess this image by our very existence, by the very breath that we breathe,” he said.
He emphasized that human dignity comes from God and cannot be diminished by disability, limitations or the circumstances of a person’s life.
The bishop also reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, which addresses the dignity of the human person in an age of technological change. The document considers how human vulnerability and limitations can deepen compassion, relationships and mutual care.
Bishop Boxie urged Catholics to recognize the contributions of people with disabilities throughout the life of the Church and to create opportunities for them to exercise their gifts.
“We image Christ,” he said, through the ways Catholics care for one another and “how we create space for them to share their God-given gifts.”
Throughout the Mass, that participation was visible in the ministries of those serving at the altar, proclaiming Scripture and joining in prayer.
Bishop Boxie also recognized parents, siblings, extended family members, caregivers and medical professionals for their daily care, patience and sacrifices.
“All of you image the love of God for each of us to see in how you take care of your loved ones with disabilities,” he said.
For Bennie Moore, the loss of part of his left leg following an infection strengthened his faith and gave him a greater appreciation for the preciousness of life.
“I lost my leg, but grew in my faith,” Moore said.
He recalled that even his mother questioned his decision to undergo the amputation. Moore said the choice came down to losing part of his leg or risking his life. He chose to live.
The experience gave Moore a renewed appreciation for each day, an understanding of life’s value that resonated with the message of the White Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Boxie also recognized Mary O’Meara, executive director of the archdiocese’s Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministries, and her staff for their longstanding work supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. He described them as national leaders in their field.
“We oftentimes have to recognize greatness when it’s in our midst,” he said.
Bishop Boxie also thanked Father Cornelius K. Ejiogu, a Josephite priest who serves as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Teresa of Ávila parishes in Southeast Washington, and their parish communities for hosting the celebration.
The bishop said he believed it was the first time the annual White Mass had been celebrated at a historically African American parish and praised the tradition of welcome and inclusion within Black Catholic communities.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, what you can or can’t do, where you’re from, who your parents are, what you look like,” Bishop Boxie said. “Everyone has a seat at this table.”
Throughout the liturgy, the congregation took part in traditions of the host parish. During the offertory, parishioners who wished to make a contribution rose from their pews and walked forward to place their gifts in collection baskets. During Communion, priests brought the Eucharist to worshippers who had difficulty approaching the altar.
The celebration also included liturgical dancers from St. Teresa of Avila, with the congregation joining in prayer and song.
As Bishop Boxie concluded his homily, he called on Catholics to build communities where every person is welcomed and encouraged to participate in the life of the Church.
“When we build a community where the image of God is honored and is cared for, and each person is welcomed with dignity,” he said, “where our love makes room for everyone to participate and share their gifts, we become a more faithful Church.”
