Fr. Michael Depcik, OSFS, Organizes the First Eucharistic Congress for the Catholic Deaf

The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales are honored to announce that Fr. Michael Depcik, OSFS, will organize and lead the first-ever Eucharistic Congress for the Catholic Deaf Community, to be held April 4–6, 2025, at The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Maryland.

This landmark event is expected to gather approximately 230 Catholic faithful from across the country to celebrate, pray, and deepen their devotion to the Eucharist in a setting designed specifically for the Deaf community.

Fr. Michael Depcik, OSFS, is one of only a few culturally Deaf priests worldwide. A trailblazer in Deaf ministry, he was ordained an Oblate priest in 2000 and currently serves the Deaf Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Fr. Mike was born and raised in Chicago and is a second-generation member of a Deaf family. He is a graduate of St. Rita School for the Deaf in Cincinnati, OH, and holds two master's degrees: one in Divinity from Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminary and another in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University.

In addition to the congress, Fr. Depcik’s powerful work in Deaf ministry will be highlighted on national television. Living Divine Mercy, a program produced by the Marian Fathers and aired on EWTN, will feature a story on Fr. Depcik’s ministry in Baltimore. The episode will air on Thursday, April 17, at 10 PM ET.

This historic congress and national spotlight underscore the vibrancy and spiritual depth of the Deaf Catholic community and the profound impact of Fr. Mike Depcik’s ministry.

Read more in “Hundreds of Deaf Catholics to gather for first-ever Deaf Eucharistic Congress,” published by the Catholic News Agency.

*Biography adapted from Signing Savvy