Deaf people from Poznań, Krotoszyn, Kalisz, Warsaw and even Berlin came to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Licheń
Father Marcin Płóciennik, the diocesan chaplain for the deaf from Poznań, has been serving the deaf for 4 years. He learned the basics of sign language during a course at the Archbishop's Seminary in Poznań. During the Saturday pilgrimage, the Holy Mass was held in sign language. "This is a place of joy and joy, where Mary invites everyone to come," said the priest during the liturgy in the Holy Trinity Chapel in the lower basilica. After the Eucharist, the participants watched an unusual film about Bl. card. Stefanie Wyszyński prepared by the FONIS Foundation. In a 20-minute study entitled "NON POSSUMUS" starring deaf actors. The basic - flashed version of the film is supplemented with subtitles, which make the film available to the general public.
Fr. The clothier organizes pilgrimages for the deaf from time to time. Apart from Lichen, the visitors also visited Jasna Góra and Gostyń. As the young priest emphasizes, the Licheń sanctuary has good conditions to organize such events. In the chapel of the Holy Trinity, the faithful sit around the altar, the priest is on a platform, and the construction of the chapel allows everyone to see exactly what is happening at the altar. The basilica is a place accessible to people with disabilities thanks to ramps and lifts. There was also an idea to record a film in sign language so that deaf people from all over the country could get to know Lichen better. - This place has a strong influence on deaf people who live in the world of images - adds Fr. Linen.
There are few priests who know sign language and use it in their pastoral ministry. -The specialization of this ministry is something special. At the beginning there are more seminarians learning sign language, but not everyone has not only the will, but also the predisposition to enter this environment and be accepted - explains Mr. Robert Skwarek, who has been teaching catechesis at the Special School and Educational Center for Deaf Children for 18 years. them. Józef Sikorski. The center in Poznań consists of a special kindergarten for children with hearing and speech impairments, an elementary school, a trade school, a technical school, a general secondary school and a post-secondary school for deaf and hard of hearing youth.
Text: Sanctuary Press Office
