I’ll write more about this general topic, but I am please to announce that Noah, our eldest, and the child that we worried so much about communion for, because of his Autism (Asperger’s Syndrome), has officially made his First Holy Communion!
I still can get teary-eyed right now as I remember singing along to the hymn, “…and I will raise you up on the last day…”, while watching him receive the Eucharist for the very first time. What a blessing!
Another blessing happened on our trip to the church though, and it continues to bring a smile to my face when I think of it.
Noah and I were discussing about the First Communion, and I said, “Isn’t it cool, buddy, that you’ll be able to take Communion every time we go to church now?”
“WHAT?!?!?!?!” He excitedly exclaimed from the back of the minivan.
I recognized what he was asking/exclaiming by the tone of his voice. I realized that perhaps we hadn’t pointed out to him (as is sometimes necessary because of, well, the Autism again) that it’s called First Communion because it is only the first time, not the only time.
I told him, “Yeah — every time now. This is just the very first time. But, now when we go to Mass together, or you go with your CCD class, you will get to take Communion.”
And, then excited giggling came from the back.
“Oh, oh! Oh, Mom! I am a lucky boy!” and then he continued with his excited giggling.
Not only was his First Communion a blessing, but wow — what a blessing for him to be so excited that he would continue to receive Jesus every week.
I prayed so many times that he would be willing to take Communion. I talked to our priest about it worriedly. I let my stomach churn as I envisioned his sensory sensitivity making him refuse this sacrament.
But, in the end, I apparently just needed to worry less and trust God a whole lot more, and my prayers were answered well beyond what I could have hoped for.
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