David and Mercedes Rizzo explain how sensory-friendly Masses are good outreach, but more can be done to include the special-needs community.
What is a sensory-friendly Mass?
Many parishes provide sensory friendly Masses for people with autism and other disabilities. Typically, these Masses have softer music, dim lights, and no bells or incense. People with sensory hypersensitivity make up a sizable portion of the community of people with special needs, so reducing the sensory intensity of the Mass can help them tolerate it better. This is important to people with special needs and their families and they may be more inclined to attend sensory-friendly Masses.
This is a worthy attempt by the Church to appeal to the special-needs community. It is also an important first step, but it does not go far enough in addressing the need for a real and meaningful inclusion for people with special needs who desire to become active participants in Mass and other liturgical activities.
People with special needs can participate in the Mass
People with special needs can have an active role in the Mass. These roles include being lectors, singing in the choir or playing an instrument, taking up the gifts, and being altar servers — to name just a few. Modifications can be made to help people with special needs accomplish these tasks. We are fortunate to attend a church which has an active special-needs ministry that provides such inclusion activities at their sensory-friendly Masses.
Our daughter Danielle, who has autism, has helped to take up the gifts on several occasions. While we help her carry the gifts, she loves to be involved. We enjoy seeing her hand the bread or wine to the priest, who accepts the gifts and frequently gives her a blessing. Danielle knows that she has done something important and looks very happy to do her share.
Dim lights are not enough
It's not enough to simply dim the lights and play soft music. The importance of providing meaningful participation in the Mass cannot be overstated. This not only allows people with special needs to joyously contribute during worship, but also allows other parishioners to see that people with special needs are part of the community of believers — that they too are Church, just like the rest of us. This can break down barriers and provide an occasion to enter into an awareness and appreciation of persons with special needs. It can provide an opportunity to see Christ in them and in all people. Jesus taught that what we do to the “least of my brothers” we do to Him. This enables all of us to progress in our own personal holiness.
Inclusion brings satisfaction
We know that our daughter feels a sense of satisfaction whenever she takes an active role at Mass. In a way, she has been taught how to be of service. Our ultimate purpose is to love and serve God and participate in His sacred mystery. People with special needs want to be part of this too, and it is possible to include them. Masses that are sensory-friendly are important. We need to go further, though, and reach out and include everyone.
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Copyright 2024 David and Mercedes Rizzo
Images: Copyright 2024 David and Mercedes Rizzo, all rights reserved.
About the Author
David and Mercedes Rizzo
David and Mercedes write and speak from a faith perspective as parents of a child with autism. They are available to speak, and have appeared on radio and other media. Visit DavidAndMercedesRizzo.com to learn more. Follow them on Facebook at Autism With The Rizzos. Authors of Praying For Your Special Needs Child, (Word Among Us Press) and Spiritually Able and The Adaptive First Eucharist Preparation Kit (Loyola Press).
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