Faith Formation
The Office for Persons with Disabilities (OPD) collaborates with the Office for Catechetical Formation (OCF) to assist parishes in access and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in parish religious education programs. The staff of OCF and OPD work together to gather, develop, and share resources to assist DRE/CRE’s and catechists; promote the Religious Education model of inclusion for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; and provide ongoing educational and professional development for catechists and Directors and Coordinators of Religious Education in the area of inclusion.
The OPD also collaborates with the Office for Divine Worship in welcoming persons with disabilities to full participation in the Sacraments. If you have questions about Parish Religious Education or Sacramental Prep for a child with disabilities ask your parish C/DRE. You can also call or email our office for further support – opd@archphila.org or call 215-587-3530.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the parish responsible for providing sacramental preparation for individuals with disabilities?
Yes, “Pastors are responsible to provide evangelization, catechetical formation, and sacramental preparation for parishioners with disabilities…. Parish catechetical and sacramental preparation programs may need to be adapted for some parishioners with disabilities, though,
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 5)
Can individuals with disabilities be taught in a separate classroom, or can their family teach them at home?
“…as much as possible, persons with disabilities should be integrated into the ordinary programs. They should not be segregated for specialized catechesis unless their disabilities make it impossible for them to participate in the basic catechetical program.1”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 5)
Can individuals with disabilities be taught in a separate classroom, or can their family teach them at home?
“…as much as possible, persons with disabilities should be integrated into the ordinary programs. They should not be segregated for specialized catechesis unless their disabilities make it impossible for them to participate in the basic catechetical program.1”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 5)
Are there materials available for us to help teach individuals with disabilities?
Yes, popular options include:
The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) lists additional materials:
Can a person who is nonverbal receive the sacraments?
Yes.
For Reconciliation:
“In the case of individuals who are nonverbal or have minimal verbal communication ability, sorrow for sin is to be accepted even if this repentance is expressed through some gesture rather than verbally.”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 29)
For Holy Communion:
“…the criterion for reception of Holy Communion is the same for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities as for all persons, namely, that the person be able to “distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food,” even if this recognition is evidenced through manner, gesture, or reverential silence rather than verbally.”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 22)
Can someone with limited cognitive ability receive Reconciliation?
Yes, “…even young children and persons with intellectual disabilities often are conscious of committing acts that are sinful to some degree and may experience a sense of guilt and sorrow. As long as the individual is capable of having a sense of contrition for having committed sin, even if he or she cannot describe the sin precisely in words, the person may receive sacramental absolution. Those with profound intellectual disabilities, who cannot experience even minimal contrition, may be invited to participate in penitential services with the rest of the community to the extent of their ability.”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 28)
Can a person who is nonverbal receive the sacraments?
Yes.
For Reconciliation:
“In the case of individuals who are nonverbal or have minimal verbal communication ability, sorrow for sin is to be accepted even if this repentance is expressed through some gesture rather than verbally.”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 29)
For Holy Communion:
“…the criterion for reception of Holy Communion is the same for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities as for all persons, namely, that the person be able to “distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food,” even if this recognition is evidenced through manner, gesture, or reverential silence rather than verbally.”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 22)
Can someone with limited cognitive ability receive Reconciliation?
Yes, “…even young children and persons with intellectual disabilities often are conscious of committing acts that are sinful to some degree and may experience a sense of guilt and sorrow. As long as the individual is capable of having a sense of contrition for having committed sin, even if he or she cannot describe the sin precisely in words, the person may receive sacramental absolution. Those with profound intellectual disabilities, who cannot experience even minimal contrition, may be invited to participate in penitential services with the rest of the community to the extent of their ability.”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 28)
Can someone with limited cognitive ability receive First Holy Communion?
Yes, “…the criterion for reception of Holy Communion is the same for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities as for all persons, namely, that the person be able to “distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food,” even if this recognition is evidenced through manner, gesture, or reverential silence rather than verbally…. Cases of doubt should be resolved in favor of the right of the Catholic to receive the sacrament.”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 22)
Is it possible to arrange a small or private celebration of the sacrament for someone with sensory sensitivities?
Yes, “Parish sacramental celebrations should be accessible to persons with disabilities and open to their full, active, and conscious participation, according to their capacity. Pastoral ministers should not presume to know the needs of persons with disabilities but should rather—before all else—consult with them or their advocates before making determinations about the accessibility of a parish’s facilities and the availability of its programs, policies, and ministries. Full accessibility should be the goal for every parish, and these adaptations are to be an ordinary part of the liturgical life of the parish.”
“To the degree possible, those with disabilities should be included along with others during the preparation and celebration of the sacrament. At times, pastoral need may necessitate an accommodated setting and a simpler manner.”
(Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, USCCB, no. 3 & no. 18)
Resources
USCCB Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities