"Since he was old enough to articulate it, Ryan has wanted to be a priest. He has played Mass in the most reverent way possible since he was six years old. For a long time he had, permanently, set up an altar on my coffee table using pieces from his sister’s tea set, a stack of white handkerchiefs from his father’s drawer and my crocheted table runner. He would express his great displeasure whenever I walked past my own coffee table and did not genuflect.
I had the holiest coffee table in town"
Read the rest in my article on Catholic Exchange this morning.
As a mother of a special needs child your story touched my heart greatly. My son isn’t nearly as devout or as challenged as your son is but I too pray that he will be prepared to follow whatever his calling may be. It is wonderful to see that there are options for special children to serve God!
As a mother of a special needs child your story touched my heart greatly. My son isn’t nearly as devout or as challenged as your son is but I too pray that he will be prepared to follow whatever his calling may be. It is wonderful to see that there are options for special children to serve God!
I have a son on the autism spectrum who is very spiritual. I cannot see him being able to get through college at this point, though we are working to improve the chances of that. So seminary seems impossible. Our priest/uncle said maybe he could be a religious brother some day. We can hope.
Mary Ellen,
My son is diagnosed with Aspergers and I’m constantly in awe of his faith. God speaks to the heart and his is so pure. I was reading the Beatitudes one day and stopped at “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” This is my boy. Autism has preserved his childlike purity and I am so thankful for it. God has a plan for all children and his miracles for this very special one have already been seen. I look forward to the journey (although not always to the rocky paths!). Thank you for sharing.