Nearly every pew at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Church in Leonardtown, Maryland, was filled on Oct. 27 as The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington celebrated its 15th annual White Mass. Held each year to honor the giftedness of all persons with disabilities, this Mass is designated “white” because of the color’s association with the promises of Baptism. The liturgy celebrated the beauty of unity in diversity, honoring the unique contributions of each person, especially those with disabilities.
The White Mass highlighted the Archdiocese of Washington’s commitment to building a culture of inclusion that reflects the love of Christ in all corners of society and embraces the diverse gifts each individual brings to the human family.
Father Patrick Mullan, the chaplain at St. Francis Deaf Catholic Church in Landover Hills and Gallaudet University Campus Ministry in Washington, shared insights on fostering inclusivity in the Church. Having spent the last 18 months learning American Sign Language to serve those under his care as chaplain better, Father Mullan emphasized the importance of saying “yes” to inclusion, even when the path forward is unclear. “Just say ‘yes’ and work to figure it out,” he advised, encouraging others to embrace the challenge of creating an inclusive environment for all.
This year’s White Mass was celebrated by Washington Auxiliary Bishop Juan Esposito, who in his greeting said the beauty of the Church is “like a colorful tapestry, each thread plays an essential role.” This metaphor set a heartfelt tone for a celebration grounded in the promises of Baptism that unite all Catholics.
The White Mass modeled inclusive worship, with people with disabilities participating in nearly every part of the liturgy. The second reading, delivered in American Sign Language, underscored the importance of accessibility, while sign language interpreters ensured everyone could fully participate.
During his homily, Bishop Esposito reflected on the Gospel reading from Mark 10:46-52, where Jesus heals the blind man, Bartimaeus. He challenged the congregation to consider who truly “sees” in Christ’s presence. “Bartimaeus saw Jesus as the Messiah,” he noted, highlighting how society often overlooks the gifts of those with disabilities. The bishop emphasized people’s interdependence on one another and the importance of recognizing every person’s dignity and unique gifts.
Bishop Esposito further encouraged the community to embrace its call to inclusion. He explained that each individual, through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, is not merely a passive member of the Church but possesses unique gifts that empower them to contribute actively to the Church’s mission. “We are all called to participate in the mission to be His witnesses in the world,” he said, emphasizing the active role each member can play in the Church’s mission.
The bishop concluded his homily by urging everyone to promote a culture of inclusion and dignity, urging all present to be ambassadors of love and acceptance in their communities. He reminded the congregation that each person’s contribution to the world has the potential to illuminate the presence of God in their midst, saying, “Whatever form our witness takes, each one of us offers a unique contribution to the world that can open the eyes and ears of those we encounter to the presence of God and His wonderful works around us, to help them see as God sees – the beauty of each member of the human family, that like a colorful mosaic is marked by variety and also limitation in each colorful stone each with our own qualities and each of us together combining to be the work of the glory of God.”
Father David Beaubien, the pastor at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, reflected on the success of the White Mass tradition. He emphasized that “communication is key,” stressing the importance of parishes maintaining a continuous and welcoming spirit. His experience has demonstrated that being consistently open and welcoming not only benefits individuals with disabilities but also enriches the entire parish community. This highlights the ongoing need for efforts to promote inclusivity.
The annual Mass – hosted by the Offices of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry, Life Issues and Social Justice of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington – is celebrated to support parishes and organizations in empowering the Deaf community and individuals with disabilities to share their gifts within the Church. A description of the White Mass on the archdiocese’s website underscores the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all individuals with diverse abilities. For nearly 30 years, the archdiocese’s outreach efforts have extended to clergy, parishes, ministries and nonprofits, offering resources for parents receiving prenatal diagnosis of disabilities, parish catechetical programs tailored for learners with special needs, faith-based activities for Deaf Catholics, and support for veterans experiencing service-related disabilities or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Bailey Mewhinney, a 25-year-old parishioner at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lexington Park, Maryland, who has Down syndrome, shared his perspective on inclusion within the Church. “See the ability, not the disability,” he urged, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the gifts each person brings. Offering advice based on his experiences, Bailey encouraged others with disabilities to “not be afraid to try new things and be in the moment.”
Lynne Mewhinney, his mother, spoke about the transformative power of faith in their lives. “Mothering a child with special needs has strengthened my faith,” she said.
She also offered advice to new parents of children with special needs. “Gather as much information as you can, don’t let negativity bring you down, and fight for inclusion in every area of your child’s life.”
(To learn more about the archdiocese’s Deaf and Disabilities Ministries, including those for mental illness and veterans, please visit the The Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry.)
