Can a child with Down’s Syndrome partake of the Eucharist? Can a retarded person take part in the Mass? Could Rosemary Kennedy or someone of her mental capacity be received at the altar of Christ to partake of His body and blood? They MUST believe that the wafer and wine are turned into the blood and body of Christ. What if they don’t have the mental capacity to “believe”, as the Catholic Church teaches? WHat becomes of those whose IQ limits their ability to “believe” what the CC says is necessary in order to participate in Mass, and therefore salvation itself.?
They believe far stronger than the person with the logical intellectual mind who constantly brings in doubt. Remember, Peter believed, but what happened when he was walking on water and doubt entered?
The answer is yes...the “little ones” are not turned away from Christ in the eucharist. To state that they can’t be saved because the don’t comprehend an intellectual concept is not a problem for us. I regularly stand in line behind those who are mentally handicapped, and they shame me with their love and faith. It is I who struggle with understanding...not them.