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Christina Deardurff's avatar

As a mom of a 23-year-old daughter, Elise, with Down Syndrome, your post about Max and Pia brought tears to my eyes. The simple yet profound faith of these little ones is a lesson for us all. One thing Elise has taken to doing on her own--on her way back from Communion, she stops and kisses her finger and then puts it on one of the stained-glass window images of a saint. People walking behind her have to wait a moment for this gesture of affection, but I never discourage her from doing it!

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Teresa Santoleri's avatar

Dear JD,

Our son Andrew is 27 and has Down Syndrome. I can promise you with all certainty, that Max and Pia will have a great mission and purpose in the Church.

I began going to daily Mass to prepare Andrew for his First Communion. I had already seen the Holy Spirit working in his life, and had come to know that God Knew Andrew and me in a very personal way by how He was acting in Andrew's life. This realization began to transform my husband and my spiritual life.

Two years later Andrew was invited to be the server at daily Mass. Many people tell me how inspiring it is to see the prayerful way he carries out his duties and the devotion with which he looks upon Our Lord during the Consecration.

Sixteen years later, he still serves every day, and also serves at most of the funerals at our parish and many others. He has a great devotion to the deceased and prays twice a day with his binder filled with holy card of the deceased. He has a great memory for dates and will often come down and tell me "Today, Uncle Nick." What a blessing it is to them to have such a faithful prayer warrior!

Of course there is much more I could say, but have no fear your little ones are needed in the church, they will bless your family with their simplicity and infused knowledge of the things that are most important. Follow them!

Many prayers for a beautiful Confirmation and First Communion for Pia and Max.

God's blessings to your family,

Teresa

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