Can mentally challenged kids receive communion?

[keepingfaith4]

i have had mentally impaired children in my classes with a parent present or a responsible family member—they did well and were able to receive first holy communion ----a joy for all of us

 

[ConstantineTG]

If the condition prevented them from comprehending that the sacred species were any different from ordinary food, for instance. You don’t have to be able to fully comprehend the True Presence–which of us can?–but you have to be able to comprehend the concept of the True Presence. Still, the benefit of the doubt belongs to the baptised, in favor of their being allowed to receive the sacraments.

I don’t get what you are trying to say here. Forgive me. But are you saying that the mentally challenged should be allowed to or not? It seems every sentence you have you are swaying from one side to the other.

 

[ConstantineTG]

How exactly does that rule work with Eastern Catholics who commune infants? Surely nobody believes that infants have the mental capacity to comprehend that distinction.

Yes. My son still calls it “eat” and even goes “YUMMY!” after the priest gives him Communion. Isn’t it why we say, “taste and see the goodness of the Lord!”? Kids probably comprehend it more than us foolish and blind adults.

 

[Fiasco]

I think “cognitively impaired” is more widely accepted by those who have children with cognitive disabilities.

Donnas "problem" is Down Syndrome. In the same article published in "The Latin Mass" magazine a long while back (i couldnt find it.), there were photos, and shes definitely Down Syndrome. People with that often have a childlike outlook which is an example the rest of us should heed. They can cut straight through the "sophisticated" garbage we wallow in. Donnas personal relationship with Jesus would be beautiful and loving, and i don`t doubt that they talk to each other as Brother and sister: “Unless you become like little children…”

Anyway, i`m sick of PC titles!!!

 

[sacredcow]

St. Francis had a friar named Brother Juniper, who is beleived by many, based on the writings about him, to have been mentally challenged. In one encounter with Satan, St. Francis is said to have threatened Satan with Brother Juniper, and Satan fled quickly. My favorite story about Juniper is when he gave away the christmas decorations to a beggar who came to the door, and ended up being punished by a bishop who came to visit… but then he made the bishop a snack and brought it to him at midnight, angering the bishop. Juniper showed no signs of being unhappy at all, so the bishop just relented and had a midnight snack with the monk.

 

[dconklin]

I am on staff at a large parish and one of my primary roles it to prepare children for the sacraments. Mentally challenged children may indeed receive the Blessed Sacrament. It is the responsibility of the parish to help the parents prepare the child. We have two volunteer catechists that are employed in the local school districts as special ed teachers. We have materials from Loyola Press for this specific purpose. We also offer the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. CGS is specifically suggested for children with autism and other like disorders.

Remember, as important as the preparation is, the result (grace from God) is vital too.