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Renamaria
Guest
Someone asked me why we bring the Holy Eucharist to those in nursing homes who are senile. They are not aware that they are receiving the Precious Body.
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mikeghiorso
Guest
Sometimes those receiving are remarkably present to the Lord. Other times they may not be, but who are we to judge? When I go to the various homes/hospitals, many seek the comfort and consolation of a familiar friend. It may, also, be that friends and family have asked they be given the Eucharist. The grace of God extends beyond our understanding.
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Joe_Kelley
Guest
They should be aware that they are receiving something special.
I had one case of Alzheimer’s with a brain cancer. He was nearly unconscious and usually appeared to be asleep. However, when I held the host before him and said, “the Body of Christ”, he would immediately make the sign of the cross. We decided that that was adequate awareness and gave him communion each week.
I had one case of Alzheimer’s with a brain cancer. He was nearly unconscious and usually appeared to be asleep. However, when I held the host before him and said, “the Body of Christ”, he would immediately make the sign of the cross. We decided that that was adequate awareness and gave him communion each week.
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ac_claire
Guest
I’ve wondered the same thing. I don’t know. My cousin exaplained it to me like, if you’re confined and at the end of your life and you’re asking for Jesus, should you be denied? And in the case of my dad, who has started to receive Communion in a nursing home even though he never officially “came back to” the Church in the strict sense (ie: a good confession, embracing all the Church teaches, etc.)…he actually tried to confess to the priest who came to the home the first time. The priest asked him how long it had been. My dad answered 50+ years and the priest just said something along the lines of, “your sins are forgiven” and that was that. He’s received Communion ever since.
I do feel weird about it at times, but I know that my dad is at the end of his life and unfortunately he’s not really in his right mind a great deal of the time. And I know that he tried to make a confession and the priest said that being sorry was enough. So, I’m going to leave it in the hands of the mericiful God and pray that it’s ok. Nothing else I can do, really.
I do feel weird about it at times, but I know that my dad is at the end of his life and unfortunately he’s not really in his right mind a great deal of the time. And I know that he tried to make a confession and the priest said that being sorry was enough. So, I’m going to leave it in the hands of the mericiful God and pray that it’s ok. Nothing else I can do, really.
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PhilotheaZ
Guest
A person should give some indication of awareness that they are receiving Communion. If the minister (priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister) has serious doubt as to whether the person is aware of the nature of the Sacrament about to be received, the person should not be given Communion. The minister can offer a prayer or (if it is a priest or deacon) a blessing instead.
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ac_claire
Guest
…but if it does happen, does any guilt lay on the communicant?
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PhilotheaZ
Guest
I can’t see how it would. We cannot be guilty of sin if we do not know we are committing sin. If a person has lost mental faculties to the point of not recognizing the Eucharist, he probably thinks he is being given a piece of bread, or some medicine, etc. I don’t think there is any sin in that.
I think any guilt of sin would be on the part of a minister if he were to knowingly give Communion to a person who does not recognize Whom he is receiving.
Sometimes it is difficult to tell. Sometimes the same patient has varying degrees of cognizance from one visit to the next. If in doubt I usually look for some sign of recognition: making the Sign of the Cross, reciting a simple prayer with me, saying “Amen” and extending his tongue, etc. If I am still in doubt I usually do not give Communion but rather say a prayer for the person and say a few kind words.
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nannyma
Guest
There are some beautiful stories in this thread and rightfully so, I have experienced the same. If there is any way possible to receive Holy Communion,they should be able to and I feel the EMHC should keep this in mind. Many residents in Nursing Homes have been' of the faithful 'all their lives and many are indeed cognitive of this precious sacrament. We should show them respect and honor them in this regard. There are those that are in the depths of dementia who are yet cognitive of this holy reception. Think: Is their a point in our lives that the Lord says No. Those who think so are indeed on a slippery slope. The only reason to hold back would be the' possibility' of abuse for I feel that our first obligation is to be guardians of this august sacrament. God Bless- Status