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roodbs
Guest
If a child is delayed, as in my childs case with autism. How does she recieve her first communion if she is unable to grasp the concept? She would not be able to attend religious eduction classes.
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aimee
Guest
Talk to your priest and you might arrange a first communion…
Your daughter might understand more than you think…you can also practice with wine and unconsecrated hosts to get her use to the taste…(sometimes I’m sure the average child doesn’t fully understand)
My son is autistic and is confirmed…
God Bless and don’t give up…
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scylla
Guest
Your child is probably more worthy to receive than many adults, and the faith is fairly simple.
God loves you so much that He offers Himself for us and He comes to visit us in the Eucharist. As someone else said mos parishes will work with you.
It is when we become jaded, older, more sinful, selfish and intolerant when we start having problems with the faith.
In Christ
Scylla
God loves you so much that He offers Himself for us and He comes to visit us in the Eucharist. As someone else said mos parishes will work with you.
It is when we become jaded, older, more sinful, selfish and intolerant when we start having problems with the faith.
In Christ
Scylla
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BritishCatholic
Guest
Exactly.
As long as your daughter knows that she is receiving Jesus, then she can receive Holy Communion.
And, since today is the memorial of Pope St. Pius X, I think it might be good to add this.
One day, Pope St. Pius X celebrated Mass for a group of Pilgrims in St. Peter’s Basilica. During the distribution of Holy Communion, a couple was at the Communion rail with their child. The mom said, “Your Holiness, my son is not yet of age, but can he receive Communion?” Pope Pius X then took the host, showed it to the child, and said, “Who is this?” “Jesus”, he replied. The pope said, “That’s good enough for me”. Then he gave the child Holy Communion.
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
First parents are the primary persons who perpare their children for reception of the Sacraments. When you feel she is ready you will speak with the pastor. She would not receive First Holy Communion until she is able to grasp the meaning of what she is receiving. The Age of Reason or Catechetical age for her might be much later 13 or 14 or later. In danger of death the pastor could decide to give her Holy Communion. Once Baptized she is in a perfect state of Grace and needs no other Sacraments until she reaches a point where she is able to understand sin, moral right and wrong.
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MaryD7
Guest
In our parish we have a program, like CCD, but specifically geared towards children with special needs. My son attends the program along with other children who’s needs vary from Down’s Syndrome, autism, hearing issues, etc. It meets for two and a half hours every Saturday during the school year and the directors work closely with the priests in gauging how much each individual child understands and when it would be appropriate that he/she receives First Communion.
Speak with your priest or call your Diocese … they may know of a program like this in your area that your child can attend.
God bless.
Speak with your priest or call your Diocese … they may know of a program like this in your area that your child can attend.
God bless.
P
puzzleannie
Guest
what Bro said, also to point out to make sure she gets confirmed at the regular age, for which no preparation beyond actually being able to go through the ceremony is required except what is within her capability. If she has any health condition that threatens to shorten her life, she should be confirmed asap, and any priest can get permission to do this. No child may be denied the sacraments at the age set by the bishop of the diocese, must be prepared for them within his capability. The issue with communion and autistic children is usually sensory or behavioral, in that some simply cannot or will not swallow, or may not even be able to get through Mass, If necessary, and we have done it, 1st communion can be done privately, at daily Mass or other accommodations made. Talk to your pastor and get things moving. We have confirmed several children who still, for various reasons, cannot yet receive communion, but the parent knows if they reach a level where it is physically possible they will do so at the earliest opportunity. And it is not necessary that they receive regularly after that if it is too hard, either.
CatholicCajun
New member
Talk to your Priest. You child may or may not be put in class, depending on their understanding. Children with autism are smarter than most people think and they understand more than what people realize. Pray for your child to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. God bless you and your child.:angel1:
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GregoryPalamas
Guest
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GregoryPalamas
Guest
BritishCatholic,
Do you have a link for this story or a source of some kind?
CDL
Do you have a link for this story or a source of some kind?
CDL
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AlaAnnie
Guest
In preparing to teach religious ed, I was in a workshop recently where they were teaching us about dealing with children with learning disabilities. The nun, who was instructing, told us a story of a young man with severe disabilities and who was a ward of Catholic social services. She said that she worked with the young man for 10 years to get him prepared to take his first communion. But, they did it. He was able to receive. She made the point that everyone has a right to receive the sacrament and we have to keep in mind that it isn’t required to happen in a nicely laid out schedule of our making.
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
“She made the point that everyone has a right to receive the sacrament” No one has an absolute right to receive any Sacrament. All have conditions and requirements.
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aimee
Guest
I don’t think she said absolute right…so perhaps one might consider , in this context , what the term ‘right’ means:ehh:
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StephanieC
Guest
I have heard of Special REligious Development, or SPRED. (www.spred.org). But I can’t vouch for it; maybe others here can. In any case, there are about 20-25 dioceses that are listed there.
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Leopard
Guest
This is true. Members of the faithful who have physical or mental handicaps do have a right, however, not to be denied the sacraments under circumstances in which members of the faithful who do not have such handicaps would not be denied, if they meet those conditions and requirements.
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Aramis
Guest
Keep in mind: nearly 40% of the Catholic Church allows infants to receive communion. (The Eastern Churches in Union with Rome generally allow infants to be baptized, then immediately confirmed, and then to receive holy communion as a single event, and then to receive regularly thereafter.)
Understanding is desirable, but not essential.
Understanding is desirable, but not essential.
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