Trudy with a family on First Communion Day With Norma Carlos Praying with gestures

One of the cries I hear in Etzatlán is that of the disabled children and adults who have been denied the Sacraments because they were unable to follow a regular course.  Teachers and families come asking for help.  These children have an intuitive sense of the Presence of God and are remarkably good persons.  ?I want to receive my First Holy Communion!?  ?I want to receive Jesus!?  They already know Jesus as their friend and surprisingly enough, most can learn simple songs and action-prayers.  They love to color and just being together, accepted and succeeding.  It is remarkable to see how they communicate with each other.  Some can only respond to pictures and to the joy of being in a small chapel where classes are held.  They know Jesus is there, and with them.

Most come with an experience of failure (they can?t read or write nor pass the written exams of the ?School of the Faith?), some exhibit behavior problems as a way of dealing with failure, others are been deaf-mute or blind (these children are often quite intelligent), and some have just missed out, and learn rapidly and independently. 

To be accepted in this class, each one needs to agree to succeed:  this class is only for succeeding in one way or another.  What a gift and marvel to watch a shy one who feels excluded realize that here he/she can truly succeed.  Once they know the class is for them, from a basis of unconditional love and acceptance, they begin to grow and the place is flied with smiles.

The environment of the little farm with animals and colorful flower gardens is a very comfortable place for them.  A child who could not speak wanted to have the large host with a picture of Jesus on one side.  His parents cautioned that he might tear it, but the child took the large paper host and reverently kissed it.  Another one who did not speak, as we went up near the Tabernacle, pointed and said, ?Jesus, I love you?.

Trudy Considine rscj
Province of the United States
Community of Ezatlán, México