17 replies to this topic

[Ruby Rose]

As one who was raised in the Catholic Church, including 8 years of Catholic school, I fully understand what receiving Holy Communion means to Catholics. I was taught that a miracle takes place when the Communion Host/Eucharistic bread is consecrated by the priest during Mass, which causes the Host to actually become the Body of Christ.

When I first learned that I could no longer eat wheat, I wondered if the consecrated Host would be safe, according to what I had learned and believed as a child, while preparing for my first Communion. If the miracle really takes place, why is it still dangerous for those living with celiac, to receive the wheat Host? Yes, this is a rhetorical question, but I think some may understand where I am coming from.

Also, I would like to share my perspective, as to why it may seem that many Catholics are very sensitive and/or defensive, when it comes to their faith. Traditionally, at the ages of around 11 - 12, Catholics receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, when the young Catholic promises to become a Soldier of Christ, vowing to defend the faith, whenever it is challenged.

[Littlewolf]

I am Catholic and not a Celiac. . however, at my church we do not dip the wafer into the wine (only the Eucharistic Ministers actually drink the wine). Perhaps you could just take a gluten-free wafer and not the wine if you think it might cause you pain and harm. You could always talk to your priest about it, I'm sure he would better be able to take into consideration your situation and the chuch. Maybe he can accomidate you (and maybe others).

If all else fails, you could try to be the first one up there everytime so no other wafer has touched the wine.

[debmidge]

I think that if we go back to the problem that the little girl in Brielle had, it was because the Archdiosese wouldn't allow the gluten-free host in the first place. As to the wine, the communicant would never know if they had sipped the wine before the hosts were place into the chalice. Sometimes the host is kept in the chalice and wine before Mass begins. Fragments of the communion host could be present in the wine after all the hosts are removed. This isn't a safe alternative either.

As to the miracle of the mass, it is an article of faith that the belief is that while the miracle happens, the bread and wine do not change in their appearance or basic ingredients.