101-year-old woman receives First Communion

Last updated on: October 2, 2016 at 8:29 pm by CNA Daily News

101-year-old woman receives First Communion 2016-10-02T20:29:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct 2, 2016 / 02:29 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- At 101 years old, Doña Penha has seen quite a bit of life. But the centenarian experienced something new on September 28, as she received her First Communion during Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel nursing home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For those who witnessed the occasion, it was a great testimony to the love of God.

“It was a very beautiful moment that showed us that it is never too late to receive the Eucharist, which for someone seeking God, neither time nor shame can prevent,” said the administrative assistant of the nursing home, Josiane Ribeiro. She added that occasions like this help “reaffirm faith.”

Ribeiro told CNA that Doña Penha arrived about a year ago at the nursing home, which is run by the Sisters of the Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima Association. There is a chapel on site where Mass is celebrated during the week.

Doña Penha began to attend Mass with the other women. One day, she asked to go to Confession. Father Domingos Sávio Silva Ferreira realized she had not yet received Communion and asked the sisters to prepare her to receive the sacrament, Ribeiro recalled.

After that preparation, Doña Penha received Communion for the first time. According to nursing home officials, those who were with her could see that “that was what she really wanted.” Even at 101 years of age, they said, “she is very lucid, and prepared to receive First Communion from the heart.”

For Ribeiro, the occasion was a witness of God’s love – not just for the people who live with Doña Penha at the nursing home, but also for the many others who could share the moment through social media.

“We put the photos on the nursing home's Facebook page, and many people saw it, commented and congratulated,” she said.

The nursing home’s Facebook post received hundreds of likes and shares. Among the comments, one subscriber emphasized: “There is always time, and her time was now! God bless you!”

Americas

Previous Post

October 2, 2016

Pope Francis green-lights opening of Fr. Jacques Hamel beatification process

Next Post

October 2, 2016 Pope Francis: Love those who struggle, but don't push gender theory on kids

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I gleaned in fields behind reapers and caught the eye of a wealthy landowner. Who am I?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Orpah Hannah Naomi Ruth