A homily preached in awe of people with disabilities and their caregivers

This is the text of Cardinal O'Connor's homily at Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday, May 31.

It is wonderful to have so many of the representatives of the media here today because we have so many stars here, whose stories deserve to be publicized far and wide. I wish everyone in the world could see what is happening in the cathedral here this morning. The media may be here because they expect me to say something outrageous today. I am sorry to disappoint you, but I would not dream of trying to upstage these magnificent people. Literally nothing gives me greater pleasure than to be here in this cathedral each year for this confirmation ceremony for those who have intellectual, emotional or physical limitations that many of us do not experience. It is such a joy to be with them, such an inspiration to be with their families, with other caregivers, with teachers, with all who make this particular day possible that they will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Pentecost, as you know, is often called the "birthday of the Church." The reason for that is reflected in the first reading [Acts 2: 1-11]. We are told that, until that point, despite the fact that they had walked and talked and lived with our Lord and they had seen him after he rose from the dead, the Apostles were still afraid. They had not begun their mission. Our Lord had told them, "Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. Behold I am with you all days to the end of the world." But they did not believe our Lord. They were afraid. They were gathered, after his ascension into heaven, and they were confused and bewildered. They did not know what was going to happen. But our Lord promised he would send them the Holy Spirit.

Suddenly, we are told, there is a roar of a mighty wind, a tremendous noise. Undoubtedly the house shook and then flames of fire came down upon them, as spiritual flames of fire will come down upon each one of these individuals to be confirmed today. That is what Confirmation means, the Holy Spirit will come upon them. What happened at that first Confirmation? The Apostles were confirmed. They received the Sacrament of Confirmation. They received the strength of the Holy Spirit, so they lost all their fear and anxiety. We are told that immediately they went out to preach to thousands of people. They were able to use a whole variety of languages. Wherever the people were from, they understood the Apostles. Maybe they were only speaking in one language and the people were filled with the Holy Spirit. Or maybe they were speaking in the different languages of the different people. But it was above all the language of the Holy Spirit, and that is the language spoken by each one of these to be confirmed today, the language of love. It is a language spoken by all of you who take such wonderful care of these people, whether you are parents or relatives or not. That is the meaning of our being here today. They are going to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is indeed the rebirth of the Church, as is every Pentecost Sunday.

The second reading [1 Cor. 12:3-7, 12-13] was a very beautiful reading for this particular purpose. We are told:

"There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are different ministries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

"The body is one and has many members, but all the members, many though they are, are one body; and so it is with Christ. It was in one Spirit that all of us, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, were baptized into one body. All of us have been given to drink of the one Spirit [the Holy Spirit you are about to receive]."

I would like to tell you something about each of these individuals to be confirmed. Since there are 25 of them we can only spend seconds on each. I am not going to use the names, as sometimes families prefer that names do not be used.

One is age 14, with neurological impairment and multiple learning disabilities, who has trophies for Irish step dancing in a special needs class and enjoys bicycling and basketball in the Special Olympics as well as baseball in a special Little League, but he never plays on Sunday morning.

One is age 14 in remission from bone cancer. Due to radiation his leg is short and he is currently going through surgery and therapy to extend it. But he hopes to have a career in the medical field.

One is 58 years of age who lived alone with his mother until her death last year. When his mother died, he went to St. Dominic's Home in Blauvelt, a wonderful place, and is settled into his cottage.

One is 17 and lives with his parents at West Point. He loves to go fishing with his father and usually catches more fish than his father does. (It is understandable, his father is an Army officer and we of the Navy and the Marine Corps know that they are not very good fishermen!)

Then there is one who is age 14 and has Down syndrome and is full of life, loves to read, dance and play outdoors. Her ambition is to be an actress. Anne Coghlan, the wonderful coordinator of all of these efforts, wrote me a note that this young lady says that she heard that I love all persons with disabilities but I like Down syndrome best!

Here is one who is age 15 and has spina bifida but is able to walk. He chose Francis as his Confirmation name because he loves animals and feels he can talk to them.

One is age 13 and mentally retarded but has many talents including playing the piano and dancing and taking ballet and jazz lessons. Her ambition is to be a Spice Girl. Well, I heard on the radio that they are talking about breaking up, so you better hurry.

One is 8 and severely autistic, loves to play on the swings and listen to music. Most of the time she just likes to be by herself. I hope that her parents or caregivers are familiar with the exquisitely beautiful book by Catherine Maurice, "Let Me Hear Your Voice." This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read on autism. She has a little girl who was just apparently a picture-poster baby with golden curls, beautiful skin, just a radiant smile who, for the first two years, was outgoing and filled with life and then completely withdrew. She would only sit on the floor and would not answer. A toy would be dangled in front of her eyes but it was as though she were sightless. Her mother pleaded, "Let me hear your voice." So if you have a youngster who is autistic or if you are taking care of a youngster who is autistic, I would strongly recommend Catherine Maurice's book. It will give you a great deal of hope.

Then there is a boy who is age 14 who is both autistic and mentally retarded but loves all the animals on his property. He likes all kinds of music and can recognize Beethoven. I am not at all sure I can recognize Beethoven. When we speak of limitations, it is important to remind ourselves that God gives everyone certain gifts. This individual plays the guitar. I do not play the guitar.

One is age 46 and has Down syndrome and brain damage. He loves food and can recognize labels for food and knows the day of the week by the food that he has. He gets eggs on Tuesday. I do not get eggs on Tuesday, unless we have visitors.

One is age 12 and has Down syndrome and other problems. His mother says he brings her joy. So many, many youngsters with various limitations do bring their folks so much joy. He loves animals and they are very tolerant of him.

One is age 19 and has cerebral palsy causing mental impairment but he participates in Special Olympics basketball, volleyball and weightlifting.

One is age 20 and nonverbal, perhaps autistic, and is hyperactive but turns the radio on to classical music, puts his head down and is totally relaxed.

One is age 14 and has severe learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder and speech delay but is an avid skier and snowboarder and loves to fish.

One is age 13 and has Down syndrome and is a happy person and very easy to please. She takes ballet classes, plays the piano and enjoys swimming.

One is age 14, has a form of dwarfism, and uses a wheelchair. He has a great sense of humor and enjoys art so much he wants to be a cartoonist.

One is age 12, has Down syndrome, and considers himself a friend of mine as he received first Holy Communion at the Mass for Disabled three years ago and has spoken to me at that Mass each year. I know him and he is a friend of mine. In a way his parents never dreamed of his learning independent skills. How are you? Great to see you. We are very happy to have you here in this cathedral. I am so proud of your family and of those who take care of you. You just say anything you want to say or do whatever you want to do. You give us all joy.

One is age 10 and has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair. Realizing he can not play baseball, his dream is to be a team manager, preferably the Yankees. I know he will never play ball on Good Friday!

One is age 13 and has had multiple strokes. He has learned to walk and talk three times following the strokes but is now only able to get around in his motorized wheelchair and communicates via computer. His father is a restaurateur and is a very, very friendly man and very nice to the priests and to the archdiocese. We are delighted that he is here.

Then there are twins who are 14 years old, and both have cerebral palsy. Their mother is very active as an advocate for children with disabilities on the state and local level.

One is age 15 with mental and speech impairment but enjoys horseback riding, baseball and skiing in the Special Olympics. Her mother is just out of the hospital following surgery.

One is age 25, developmentally delayed with a mentality of a 5-year-old but loves to watch television especially the cooking shows.

One is age 10 and has child onset depressed schizophrenia. He is very proud of receiving his first Holy Communion last month in the church where his father had done so.

Finally, one is 42, legally blind and mentally retarded but loves to sew and do many crafts, enjoys Special Olympics and is currently learning to swim.

What do you think of all of them? [Applause] I think the same. Since I have been a very young priest, and even before I was ordained to the priesthood I was working with what we just generally called "retarded children" or "physically disabled children," largely Down syndrome. That was going to be my life's work. I was so happy we got a new archbishop in Philadelphia, and he told me that he wanted me to build a center for this purpose. I was ecstatic. But then the conflict in Korea broke out, and he had a tug of war within himself and asked me to go into the service, so I never got back to doing the work that I had so longed to do except by way of opportunities of this nature.

Wherever I have been through the years, I have taught parents and teachers and recognized your goodness and your love for all that you do for these special people. I have never felt that I was giving anything in comparison with what I could see coming from those of you who have these 24-hour-a-day responsibilities. We can talk about it and we can kid about it and we can praise you but it does not help a great deal at 2 or 4 o'clock in the morning or 3 o'clock in the afternoon when, for so many of you, your entire life is focused on taking care of someone who needs your constant love, your constant patience, your constant attention. Our admiration for you, and I speak experientially from many, many years, knows no bounds. I think it is to you finally that this Gospel is addressed in a very special way.

When Christ came through locked doors after his resurrection nothing could keep Christ out, Christ with his love. Christ said to the Apostles, the very Apostles who had run away from him, the Apostles who had betrayed him, "Peace be with you." How much more to you who have been so faithful, who have never run away, who have given your lives, does our Lord, love personified, say to you, "Peace be with you"? All of us here in awe of all of you. I am sure everyone would like to express that awe.