Disabled children and the Eucharist

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Are Down Syndrome children allowed to receive the Eucharist?
 
Certainly they can. Sometimes the parent may need to assist them but they are God’s children as much as any of us. and in some cases maybe even more precious.
 
The thing to remember with Down’s Syndrome or any other diability is that these people are more normal than their diability. Think about how smart they are when they want something, or want to go somewhere. They can learn, just make it simple.

Believe me, my older sister has Down’s Syndrome and she is 54 yrs old. I have been her legal guardian since our mom died in 1984. She knows Jesus died, she knows the blood, she can relate a crucifix with Jesus that has blood on it as the blood in the chalice. Jesus loves me is her favorite song.

How old is the child that you are asking about?
 
wacvet7577 said:
Are Down Syndrome children allowed to receive the Eucharist?
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Hi Wacvet,

My son has autism, and we are waiting for a while before letting him receive first Holy Communion. However, in the case of more serious disabilities, waiting might not be a good solution.

My only concern would be that Communion be administered in such a way that it can’t be dropped or go unconsumed by the child for any reason. I would speak to a priest about that. There are obviously many precedents for any priest to go by. Hopefully the ultimate solution will respect both the Eucharist and the child’s right to receive his Lord!

God Bless,
Joan
 
Thank you to all who answered. The child is 8 and he’s very smart. 🙂 He is my ex-husband’s son and I just love this little guy. I would love to see him make his First Holy Communion.
 
Yep. It may change depending on the severity but they can recieve. I would also “practice” with unconsecrated hosts frequently. I know ds kids often have troubles with taste and texture and swallowing. I would also recommend in-the-hand as many swallowing difficulites pertain to the tounge. I would also make sure only go to a prepared and understanding priest for atleast a year or two.
 
Your diocese might have an office or ministry to the disabled, and that might be a good place to get started if your own parish isn’t particularly supportive.
 
beth40n2 said:
The thing to remember with Down’s Syndrome or any other diability is that these people are more normal than their diability. Think about how smart they are when they want something, or want to go somewhere. They can learn, just make it simple.

Believe me, my older sister has Down’s Syndrome and she is 54 yrs old. I have been her legal guardian since our mom died in 1984. She knows Jesus died, she knows the blood, she can relate a crucifix with Jesus that has blood on it as the blood in the chalice. Jesus loves me is her favorite song.

How old is the child that you are asking about?
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God will bless you for caring for His little one!!! Thank you for being her little (big) sister. I had an aunt who lived into her late sixties with severe down syndrome. I miss her, she’s been with the Lord about 10 years now. My uncle, her oldest brother whom never married, cared for her after my grandmother passed in '88.

Anyway, I kind of teared up when i read your post and I just wanted to say, thanks!!!👍🙂

May God bless & keep you & your sister and your whole family!
 
We have a few Down’s Syndrome people in our parish and they all receive Communion. There is one, however, that might not fully understand–I saw him take the host out of his mouth and put it in his pocket. I did let Father know and he took care of it, but I do not believe there was any sacrilege involved–I just don’t think the young man understands.

I haven’t seen him in a while, so I don’t know if this is still happening, or what happened after the above incident.

In any case, the people with Down’s are some of my favorite patients. Most are so pleasant and happy.
 
CB_Catholic said:
We have a few Down’s Syndrome people in our parish and they all receive Communion. There is one, however, that might not fully understand–I saw him take the host out of his mouth and put it in his pocket. I did let Father know and he took care of it, but I do not believe there was any sacrilege involved–I just don’t think the young man understands.

I haven’t seen him in a while, so I don’t know if this is still happening, or what happened after the above incident.

In any case, the people with Down’s are some of my favorite patients. Most are so pleasant and happy.
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Hi CB,

I guess this is the reason that the guidelines given above do not seem to assume that each individual will be equally eligible to receive Communion. I would say the garment involved should have been burned or disposed of in some simliar appropriate manner. Obviously, the young person is not guilty of sin, but I would say more care should have been taken to ensure that Communion was received properly by him.

I don’t see why those who are disabled like this should receive a full-sized Host if there is a danger they will not handle it suitably. Why not a very small Host or a fragment directly to the mouth, perhaps moistened with the Precious Blood?

Of course, the actual guidelines have been given above, and the recipient must be discerning at any rate. Even so, when there is a question of disabilities, and if the person is prone to impulses that are not predictible, it would seem (in these cases) that adjusting the way these things are done to protect the Eucharist is mandatory. I would hope to see it as being that way when my own son receives Communion.

God Bless,
Joan
 
Monicad said:
Dear Joan, I am not an apologist…but I don’t see that a full-size host would be required. We beleive Jesus is completely present in every visible crumb! I know there are people that are fed with g-tubes that do not consume any food through their mouth. Certainly a small fragment of the Eucharist to dissolve on the tounge would be something I hope a priest would be open to discussing. Or, perhaps as you suggested receiving the Precious Blood moistened.

Please be assured of my prayers for you and your son, as you discern Reconciliation and Holy Communion for him!
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Hi Monica,

Thanks for your prayers. Seem we are of the same mind on the topic.

God Bless,
Joan
 
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