Pope Francis has underscored to the Italian Federation of Associations for the Deaf, that God’s voice, does not resonate in one’s ears, but in the heart and through one’s faith.
The Holy Father expressed this speaking to members of the federation in the Vatican today, April 25, 2019, underscoring: “More than ever, in today’s cultural and social context, you too, as deaf people, are a gift to the Church.”
Quoting from his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the Holy Father recalled: “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples.»
«All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization.”
Francis stressed that deaf people are truly great resources and can be significant agents of evangelization.
“The presence of God is not perceived with the ears, but with faith,” he reminded, calling on them to «revive their faith to feel ever more the closeness of God,» in order that God’s voice «may resonate in the heart of each person, and be heard by all.”
Through doing this, the Holy Father underscored, they make a great contribution to the Church in enabling «those who do not ‘hear’ the voice of God to be more attentive to it.”
Pope Francis concluded, asking God to accompany them, giving his blessing and asking them to pray for him.»
****
Zenit will bring our readers the full text in English as soon as possible
