Pope Tells Deaf People God's Voice Resonates in the Heart and with Faith, Not in One's Ears

Reminds Italian Federation of Associations for the Deaf Their Inestimable Value in the Church

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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.”
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Deborah Castellano Lubov

Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/

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