Tej Francis
(CNS) Carson Crosby, a student at St. Anthony Catholic School in Columbus who received his first Communion this spring, faced a unique challenge.
Carson has a genetic mitochondrial disease that prevents him from consuming food and drink orally. Since his infancy, he has been receiving nutrition through a feeding tube, but the Catholic Church does not allow the Eucharist to be given in this manner.
On April 24, he received the sacrament for the first time with the rest of his class. A fraction of the host was dissolved in a small amount of distilled water, which he was able to tolerate.
The family discussed the issue with leaders of the Victoria Diocese including Bishop Brendan J. Cahill and they also spoke with Charleen Katra, executive director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability before coming up with the solution of the dissolved host.
Father Augustine Asante, pastor of St. Anthony’s, prepared the host for Carson ahead of time and the practice will continue whenever he attends Mass at the parish.
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