Celebrating St. Christina the Astonishing with a Special Mass at OLS

A young altar server walked slowly towards the altar at Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) on a recent Monday evening. Holding a heavy cross, he was supported by two helpers. When they reached the front of the church, the helpers stood back as the young man placed the cross carefully in a stand. He returned to a pew where his mother greeted him with a tearful hug and a photo. Such scenes were repeated throughout the mass, as OLS celebrated the feast of St. Christina the Astonishing with a service designed for those with special needs.

 Msgr. Robert Emery told the congregation this mass was the first of its kind at OLS. Anne Masters, Director of Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities of the Archdiocese of Newark explained that such masses are held in churches around the county.

"Although people and families living with any disability are welcome to any Mass, we know that there are many families who have a child with a developmental disability, particularly autism, who are hesitant to come," explained Masters.  "Therefore, we have Masses similar to Monday night from the end of September to the end of June at some parishes around the archdiocese, so families can attend Mass, celebrate God in their life and draw strength from it, without worrying about any behaviors or noises that their child may make." 

Monday's mass was distinctive in a number of ways. As families entered the church, volunteers took a photo. Instead of a monetary offering during the service, families pinned those photos to an altar cloth. In addition, Masters welcomed families with clear directions to nearby bathrooms. She explained, too, that St. Christina the Astonishing was a 12^th-century mystic. She suffered from seizures, but others saw the divine through her. St. Christina the Astonishing is the patron saint of therapists.

The Feast day order of service was a large print booklet, color-coded with Picture Communication Symbols to show, as well as tell, congregants what happens during the service. For example, the priest's homily was noted in the program with a symbol for "sit," a photo of Msgr. Emery, and an explanation that read, "Msgr. Emery will talk about applying the Gospel in our life."

Indeed, Emery spoke about the gifts each member of the congregation brought to the service. He asked worshippers to share their gifts, which included the gift of music, love, smiling, and, as one young worshipper said, "I can make people laugh."

This year, the saint's feast day coincided with the twentieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), federal legislation that prohibits discrimination based on disability. Fittingly, the evening mass began with first reading, repeating, and finally, singing the words, "We are called to act with justice."

Masters noted that, in connection with the ADA, excerpts from a pastoral statement on people with disabilities that was issued by the U.S. bishops in 1978 were read on the Senate floor in support of passing the American with Disabilities Act. 

"It is not enough merely to affirm the rights of people with disabilities," the document says. "We must actively work to make them real in the fabric of modern society. Recognizing that individuals with disabilities have a claim to our respect because they are persons, because they share in the one redemption of Christ, and because they contribute to our society by their activity within it, the church must become an advocate for and with them."

Masters sees the Catholic church striving to live out this belief with services such at that at OLS. "However, when we fail to affirm the participation of all people regardless of ability or disability, it is usually from a lack of knowledge rather than a lack of desire," she noted. "This is where my office comes in.  Any family that is having difficulty with participation in any part of parish life because of disability should contact me, and I will be happy to help."

The Mass concluded with refreshments, photos and tearful hugs. "Until next time," said Emery, as the evening concluded.  "Bless you all."

Anne Masters can be reached at the Archdiocese of Newark, masteran@rcan.org, or 973 497-4309.