Father Cyril Axelrod is an inspiration to humanity.
He is the only recorded Deafblind Priest in history.
His life and faith in God is something that should be shared not only with the Deaf and Deafblind people around the world but with the hearing also. His story is a moving tribute to ‘triumph over adversity’.
However, what many do not realise it that his life story is only the beginning…
He may be Blind, but Fr. Cyril has a vision he wishes to share with the world.
He may be Deaf, but he has words that he desperately wishes to speak and for others to listen to and to work together with him to develop.
Father Cyril Axelrod has a vision of INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES. Where able and disabled people work and learn from each other through a model of EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT.
Fr. Cyril wishes to challenge the world to hear his call to EMPOWER and LEARN from disabled people. He truly believes disabled people and children are ‘Angels sent from God’ to help us all to learn valuable lessons of unconditional love, trust, hope, faith and inner peace.
However it is only through interacting and empowering these people and children to ‘shine their light on the world’ that we are able to learn these valuable life lessons, which sad to say is happening rarely at this present time.
Fr. Cyril sees his Deafblindness as a blessing and a powerful teaching tool to help others.
Unfortunately until this time only those who knew sign language or deafblind comunication methods have been able to personally access the wisdom of Fr. Cyril and hear what he has to say.
Due to the advances in technology in braille communication devises, Fr. Cyril is now able to use the internet, email and text message services.
It is hoped that through media services such as this blog, Fr. Cyril will be able to have access to anyone who wishes to communicate with him from anywhere in the world, and also a platform in which to share his profound insights and ideas with those that are interested.
It is my hope and prayer that the rest of the world has the honor of knowing and experiencing the profound faith and wisdom that can only come from such a person as Fr. Cyril Axelrod – a true Saint of the 21st century.
Please feel free to leave comments for Fr. Cyril to read and your email address if you wish him to respond.
With much love and blessings
Majella Williams (volunteer personal assistant to Fr. Cyril Axelrod)
Hello from Ireland Fr Cyril. I have just finished reading your autobiography and as a person with a visual impairment I found your story very inspirational. I remember an adult telling me as a child that “God doesn’t make mistakes” in relation to my eyesight. Your life of service powerfully demonstrates this. I am also discerning my own vocation at present and found your story very encouraging.
Thank you, and God bless.
Good Morning,
My name is Fr. Jeremy St. Martin. My parents and I are visiting England from Friday to Monday for the Beatification of John Henry Newman. We would like to meet the Deaf Catholic Community and have been told we can sit with you all at the Beatification on Sunday.
Can you help us on our journey?
In Christ,
Fr. St. Martin
I met Father Axelrod at a national United Methodist Deaf Congress Retreat in Texas about 7 or 8 years ago. He changed my life! His most memorable point of his sermon was ” I wish you could see how beautiful God is like I do.” As a Black Woman with a deaf ministry learning 5 languages and trying my hand at Chinese Sign Language, He chuckled and insructed me to learn to speak and writ the Mandarin language before signing it. I made him a yarmulke that Friday at dinner and he laughed. I followed his advise and now am learning chinese, spanish, vietnamese, korean,and will begin hebrew in the spring. I am making beautiful Multi-cultural friends in the ministry and my community now. I really love Father’s loving care, instruction and hand massages. I hope to meet the man that influenced my life is such a wonderful way and
Fr Cyril, I have just finished reading your autobiography. What an inspiration! I was truly challenged about the times when I complain about my lot in life. You have vision for life & pursue it. I just give up all too easily. As a nurse in South Africa I often dream of what I’d like to see happen but at the first snub tend to give up pursuing my dreams. Thank for inspiring me to continue trying.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace (Num 6). Thank you for being a blessing.
You all going to WYD?
You all going t WYD?