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    Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    New Communion Wafer a Blessing for Catholics with Gluten-sensitivity

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.
    New Communion Wafer a Blessing for Catholics with Gluten-sensitivity - A gluten-free communion wafer
    Caption: A gluten-free communion wafer

    Celiac.com 10/13/2010 - Until now Catholics with gluten-sensitivity have found it difficult to participate fully in Mass by consuming the communion wafers, which traditionally contain gluten.

    To address that situation, the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Mo., have developed a Communion host that is extremely low in gluten – allowing Catholics with gluten sensitivity an alternative to taking only the cup during communion.

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    Low-gluten communion wafers mean that more Catholics with gluten-sensitivity will be able to consume both the body and the blood of the host, both the communion wafer and the wine, in their celebration of Mass.

    Canon law and tradition require that communion wafers contain a percentage of wheat for a valid celebration of Eucharist, said Timothy Johnston, Director of Liturgy of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City.

    However, the host made by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration contains gelatinized wheat starch. The sisters report the hosts test to a level of 0.01 percent gluten. The Secretariat for the Liturgy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated that these hosts meet the requirements of the Code of Canon Law (924 §2) and may be used at the celebration of the Eucharist with permission of the person’s pastor.

    “They are the only group of sisters (or Catholic group at that) that make valid low-gluten hosts. Any other company or group is not approved for use during the liturgy,” Johnston said.

    He encourages Catholics with gluten-sensitivity who wish to learn more to begin a discussion with their pastor so that each may understand the church doctrine and teaching regarding low-gluten hosts, as well as the practical steps necessary for Holy Communion.

    Johnston also advises Catholics who wish to receive the low-gluten wafer to discuss the matter in advance with the celebrant and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion so that everyone is comfortable with the procedure.

    “There are several parishes that use low-gluten hosts,” Johnston said, including St. Andrew, the Cathedral of the Madeleine and Saint Thomas More.

    Responding in a letter to expressions of gratitude from many Catholics with gluten-sensitivity, the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration write that they are “inspired by the deep desire of those suffering from gluten intolerance to receive Holy Communion…[and] humbled by the many letters, emails, and phone calls we have received thanking us for our efforts to produce low gluten altar bread.”

    The letter adds that the Sisters “blessed to have the opportunity to allow God to work through our hands…[and] honored and privileged to provide for you and your parish the bread that becomes the Body of Christ.”

    Obviously, since the new wafers are not completely gluten-free,  questions of individual sensitivity will need to be addressed. However, this is a huge step toward allowing people with gluten sensitivity to take both the body and the blood when taking communion.

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    Guest Susan

    Unfortunately, these still contain gluten. And unfortunately, this still isn't safe for celiacs. I think the Catholic Church needs to be very, very clear that this is a Roman Catholic policy / tradition that does not apply to other denominations. Other denominations do not require that a specific grain be used in the communion wafers!

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    Guest Patti

    My 13 year old son receives these each Sunday. His GI approved them, providing he doesn't have any reaction to them, which he doesn't. We're both very thankful that the sisters make them and that our Church offers them.

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    Guest Sarah

    My children and I have been receiving these low-gluten hosts for a year and have figured out that these are now causing the same reaction as a gluten accident. At first, I thought they were mainly rice flour with a smidgen of wheat. I would not buy anything off of the shelf containing wheat starch so why will I subject my family to these hosts. We are strong in our faith. We will abstain from the Holy Eucharist and partake of the Precious Blood if available. God understands.

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    Guest GTT517

    My mom & I have be using these hosts since 2004 and have had no ill effects. Like the article says, they are VERY LOW gluten, meeting the proposed acceptable level. The Catholic Church never claimed that this policy applies to other denominations. I think it is great that these hosts are available to gluten free Catholics desiring to receive the BODY of CHRIST.

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    Guest Jim

    I cannot believe that a celiac journal would print this - the only treatment for celiac disease is a totally gluten free diet.

     

    It's a bit of catch 22 for Roman Catholics - Your not permitted to knowingly do something which is bad for you (ie. have wheat products) but if you don't have communion you can't get to heaven.

     

    PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine.

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    Guest Jennifer

    Posted

    I live near the Benedictine Sisters and my parish has been using their low-gluten wafers for a few years now. The ability to participate in Communion is a wonderful blessing for a Gluten Intolerant newly converted Catholic. The Catholic Church made it very clear the reason behind the "policy/tradition" when I converted this past year with no apprehension. Our parish has set the standard for our diocese on how to safely provide this alternative for gluten intolerant Catholics thanks to the Benedictine Sisters.

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    Guest G Harrison

    Posted

    The headline is misleading. The wafers still contain gluten and unless you experience one of those catholic miracles, you will be exposed to gluten.

     

    The only answer is for the Catholic church to recognize that until there is a cure, gluten is poison for those afflicted.

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    Guest M P
    I cannot believe that a celiac journal would print this - the only treatment for celiac disease is a totally gluten free diet.

     

    It's a bit of catch 22 for Roman Catholics - Your not permitted to knowingly do something which is bad for you (ie. have wheat products) but if you don't have communion you can't get to heaven.

     

    PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine.

    In response to GTT517: No, you can still get into heaven even if you can't take communion. My father was too ill to take solid foods and there are many people who can't take communion because of the wheat, but we don't believe you will be condemned to the netherworld if you can't take communion.

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    Guest M P
    I cannot believe that a celiac journal would print this - the only treatment for celiac disease is a totally gluten free diet.

     

    It's a bit of catch 22 for Roman Catholics - Your not permitted to knowingly do something which is bad for you (ie. have wheat products) but if you don't have communion you can't get to heaven.

     

    PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine.

    Actually, if you are unable to take communion because of an illness, you are not excluded from going to heaven.

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    Guest Jefferson

    Posted

    The headline is misleading. The wafers still contain gluten and unless you experience one of those catholic miracles, you will be exposed to gluten.

     

    The only answer is for the Catholic church to recognize that until there is a cure, gluten is poison for those afflicted.

    As seen from numerous comments, many people with gluten-intolerance will be able to consume these communion wafers with no issue. Others will not. People with celiac disease likely cannot tolerate these. However, I feel that the development of the wafers helps to raise celiac/gluten awareness in general, and that is not a bad thing. Nor is having an alternative for some people.

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    Guest Ferd Burfle

    Posted

    I cannot believe that a celiac journal would print this - the only treatment for celiac disease is a totally gluten free diet.

     

    It's a bit of catch 22 for Roman Catholics - Your not permitted to knowingly do something which is bad for you (ie. have wheat products) but if you don't have communion you can't get to heaven.

     

    PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine.

    "PS. Roman Catholics can still have wine."

     

    ...unless they are alcoholics with celiac disease. THEN the church suggests you become a Jew.

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    Guest Robyn

    Posted

    As a Catholic I would like to clear up a few misconceptions in the comments section here.

     

    I think the most important thing to know is that one does NOT have to receive communion to go to heaven! I think the best way to explain the idea that you "must" receive communion (which is based on John 6) is that the Eucharist helps *draw us* toward heaven—but it is no absolute requirement. God is merciful.

     

    Catholics believe that in the Eucharist, we receive the complete and undivided Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, in a real and literal way. A worshiper who receives EITHER the host OR the chalice, receives that complete Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. (And, technically, after consecration, it shouldn't be called "bread" or "wine" anymore.)

     

    The extremely low-gluten hosts are probably the best that can possibly done for people with gluten sensitivity. Of course, if a low-gluten host is unacceptable, a celiac sufferer can still receive communion from the chalice. One can even arrange to have a separate chalice of wine consecrated just for celiac worshipers, to prevent any gluten cross contamination.

     

    If a person can't tolerate ordinary wine either, it can be arranged that a very low-alcohol, only slightly fermented wine called mustum can be used. If even that can't be tolerated, then the worshiper will have to go without the sacrament, knowing that he or she can still make a spiritual communion. God is merciful.

     

    The incredible teaching of the Real Presence shows why the Church considers it gravely important to "get it right." Wheat for the host and fermented grape wine for the chalice are essential. For this reason Catholic requirements are more strict than those of most Protestant denominations.

     

    Nobody knows what celiac disease means for you better than God. He knows what He is doing by making this cross a part of your journey here on earth. He understands even if nobody in your parish seems to "get it." It can even be just between you and Him. Imagine Him looking right at you, shrugging, and saying "I know, they're clueless. Tell me about it."

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    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


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