As an autism consultant for a public school system I began working with Justin just as he turned three years old. For nine years I consulted to Justin’s classroom monthly until this past year when he transferred to a private school specializing in autism. Justin communicates through single words, short phrases and gestures. It is not always clear how much Justin understands although time and again he surprises me. Justin would often greet me by bringing his face within inches of mine, smell me, and then smile. After a few seconds he would then say, “Hi Sue”. Sometimes after greeting me Justin would become so excited that he would push his lower jaw into his hands in order to regulate himself.
As often happens after working with a student and his family for years, Justin, his family and I had developed a special relationship. Two years ago at the request of his parents I supported Justin as he prepared to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. While it wasn’t easy Justin successfully made his First Holy Communion with the rest of his class. It was a momentous occasion for Justin’s family and I have no doubt that Justin understood that it was his special day and felt the joy of his family and friends.
My experience working with Justin and playing a part in his preparation to receive First Communion has had a profound impact on my own understanding of the Eucharist. Throughout Justin’s catechetical process it became evident to me that preparing Justin to receive first Holy Communion was more about the richness of his relationships with his friends, family, and community than it was about his conceptual understanding of the Eucharist. I realized that the most important part of the process was helping Justin foster loving and mutual relationships where he was an active and engaged participant in his faith community. And finally, I came to understand that receiving the Eucharist was about one’s willingness to sustain and be sustained by experiences of the Divine within the transcending moments of relating to one another.
