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Communion Wafer?

Mike44

By Mike44
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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Mike44 Apprentice
Mike44
Posted

I am Catholic and receiving Holy Communion is important to me. I realise that the Communion wafer is generally not gluten-free. I contacted my parish priest who suggested I receive from the chalice only. However, I know that the wafer is broken into the wine in the chalice.

Is it dangerous to sip wine from a chalice that contains a minute quantity of wafer?

Any other Catholics out there who have any feedback on that? It's really important to me.

Thanks,

Mike.

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emcmaster Collaborator
emcmaster
Posted

Hi Mike,

At my parish, they don't break the wafer into the cup. I sit as close as possible to the front and try to be the first to receive from the cup. If I get there late and have to sit in the back, I just get blessed (like the children do before First Communion) instead. Not ideal, but I'm not willing to risk getting glutened.

Ener-G makes gluten-free, dairy-free wafers, but they do have soy. My Priest said I could bring those to him before Mass and he'd bless them and then give them to me, but I gave up on that idea after realizing it would be hard for him to find me to give it to me (it is a very large parish).

Hope this helps!

Elizabeth

P.S. You might PM CarlaB, because she's Catholic and has helped out with a lot of my questions regarding Communion.

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

Hi Mike,

No, you cannot receive from the celebrant's chalice; however, most parishes have several chalices for Sunday Mass and typically it's just the presider's that has a piece of the Host in it. If the priest puts a small piece in each chalice, you will need to talk to him about either stopping the practice, since it's not necessary, or providing a separate chalice for you. I always try to be in the front of the line to avoid contamination from other people's crumbs on the chalice.

If you go to a daily Mass, just get there early and notify the priest so he can accomodate you with a second chalice. I purchased a small chalice for when I'm at a shrine, retreat center, etc. that might not have a second chalice. I've never had a problem with a priest accomodating me.

Here's a link: Open Original Shared Link

Ener-G makes gluten-free, dairy-free wafers, but they do have soy. My Priest said I could bring those to him before Mass and he'd bless them and then give them to me, but I gave up on that idea after realizing it would be hard for him to find me to give it to me (it is a very large parish).

Please read the link to the NCCB's website regarding this practice. :)

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Mike:

This same topic has come up several times and it has lead to heated discussion.

If the wafer was dipped into the wine, the wine would not be suitable for a Celiac due to contamination.

It is my understanding that some people have approached their Parrish priest about this issue, and some have agreed to use a substitute (as a rice cracker) to receive communion, other have refused.

I would suggest that you take this first step and discuss this with your priest, and then go from there.

Good luck

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
Mike:

This same topic has come up several times and it has lead to heated discussion.

True, hopefully since his question has already been answered, we can move on this time. :)

Also, Catholics aren't supposed to "dip" the Host into the chalice, so hopefully this is not a problem. Sometimes the Eucharistic Minister isn't quick enough to stop someone from doing this, but it's not typical. When I used to be Episcopal, it was a regular practice, however, so it varies from denomination to denomination.

wifeandmomofceliac Newbie
wifeandmomofceliac
Posted

In my church, the priest is unable to offer a gluten free host. However, there is an extremely low gluten host that is approved by the Pope. It is made by the Benedictine Sisters, and my church orders them for several members of my church. They have a separate ceborium (spelling?) and a disignated station that persons requiring the LG host go to. It is usually the same Eucharistic Minister at that location, and she recognizes my family, but if it is someone else, the person receiving just quietly states that he/she needs the special host. This arrangement has been found to be acceptable in our situation. We also have a very large church, but they really do get to recognize those of us with special requirements. Look at it as a way to get to know others within your church. :)

Michelle

I am Catholic and receiving Holy Communion is important to me. I realise that the Communion wafer is generally not gluten-free. I contacted my parish priest who suggested I receive from the chalice only. However, I know that the wafer is broken into the wine in the chalice.

Is it dangerous to sip wine from a chalice that contains a minute quantity of wafer?

Any other Catholics out there who have any feedback on that? It's really important to me.

Thanks,

Mike.

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted
In my church, the priest is unable to offer a gluten free host. However, there is an extremely low gluten host that is approved by the Pope. It is made by the Benedictine Sisters, and my church orders them for several members of my church. They have a separate ceborium (spelling?) and a disignated station that persons requiring the LG host go to. It is usually the same Eucharistic Minister at that location, and she recognizes my family, but if it is someone else, the person receiving just quietly states that he/she needs the special host. This arrangement has been found to be acceptable in our situation. We also have a very large church, but they really do get to recognize those of us with special requirements. Look at it as a way to get to know others within your church. :)

Michelle

That is great that you have that kind of support in your parish! The link I posted has the information on where to get those very low gluten hosts.

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Mike44 Apprentice
Mike44
Posted
  • Author

Thanks everybody,

I think I'll need to speak with my parish priest about the situation.

Thanks again,

Mike.

bbuster Explorer
bbuster
Posted
In my church, the priest is unable to offer a gluten free host. However, there is an extremely low gluten host that is approved by the Pope. It is made by the Benedictine Sisters, and my church orders them for several members of my church. They have a separate ceborium (spelling?) and a disignated station that persons requiring the LG host go to. It is usually the same Eucharistic Minister at that location, and she recognizes my family, but if it is someone else, the person receiving just quietly states that he/she needs the special host. This arrangement has been found to be acceptable in our situation. We also have a very large church, but they really do get to recognize those of us with special requirements. Look at it as a way to get to know others within your church. :)

Michelle

We have a similar arrangement for my 12-year-old son. Works well most of the time, and the few times that someone forgets, he either just takes wine or gets a blessing. We usually go the the same mass time each week and also sit near the front.

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