Eucharist And Communion Bread

[Caeli]

Thanks for the greeting Jersyangel. As you read, my villi have returned to normal, but I have been living in Italy since Spetember 2007 (doing some further studies), and unfortunately, I am not able to prepare my own meals as I live in a College, so I have had many problems of late. But I am am enjoying the "Roman" experience as much as possible (when not writing essays etc) and hopefully when I get back to OZ I will be able to take better care of my diet.

Ciao.

Caeli

[2kids4me]

I

am a Catholic Priest who is also a coeliac. If there is more than one chalice used at Mass, the priest puts a piece of the consecrated bread into only one chalice, not every chalice. Some priests may place a piece in every chalice, but this is not required by liturgical rubrics.

I had no problem when my kids were diagnosed celiac. Our priest has a separate chalice on the altar - he does not add a piece of host to this one, he even takes care to cover the chalice before he breaks the host into the main chalice. My son serves at the altar and receives the blood of Christ (wine) up there from the separate chalice. My daughter has a sensitive stomach and does not like the wine...the priest was very understanding and asked that she come forward for a blessing during Communion...he understands that she is dealing with many issues and has been very sympathetic - he did not want her to avoid coming up for fear of getting ill and he always smiles and blesses her ...she simply comes up with her arms folded across her chest and he makes the sign of the cross on her forehead along with a "May God bless you".

Both children were confirmed last year by the bishop - he served my children with the separate chalice (my daughter agreed to acceot the chalice because it was a special occasion (she had tummy ache later though) The bishop was told ahead of time by our priest. No problem whatsoever.

[CarlaB]

You need to talk to your priest about this! According to Catholic tradition, a PIECE OF THE EUCHARIST MUST BE PLACED IN EACH CUP - ie lets put gluten into the cup.

Caeli has already addressed this .... but it is good to point out that some priests do put a piece of the host in every cup (most do not), so it's good to watch to see whether he does. There were a couple times when traveling that I had to abstain from receiving because the priest put a piece of host in every chalice. I think it only happened twice.

Caeli, thank you for the clarification. I hope your GI issues clear up soon. It looks like we're going to Rome over Christmas for an ordination.

[feelingbetter]

Hi- I am new here and gluten free for 1 month. I am learning as much as I can. I have a rather unique situation with regards to communion. I am a recovering alcoholic so I never receive the wine and now not the host. I go to a very large cathedral with many people and several different priests. I receved communion over Easter and paid the price for 2 days afterwards. I guess I will just not go up and leave it at that. I think I will just have to trust that God will understand why I am doing what I am doing.

[moldlady]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I decided to only have the "wine" and did not do the wheat thing. It went well and no side effects.

ML

[CarlaB]

Hi- I am new here and gluten free for 1 month. I am learning as much as I can. I have a rather unique situation with regards to communion. I am a recovering alcoholic so I never receive the wine and now not the host. I go to a very large cathedral with many people and several different priests. I receved communion over Easter and paid the price for 2 days afterwards. I guess I will just not go up and leave it at that. I think I will just have to trust that God will understand why I am doing what I am doing.

I would suggest either the low gluten host, or to see if you can get some kind of dispensation to use grape juice .... it seems that they make some kind of exception, though I can't remember what, for priests who are alcoholic since they must receive under both species. Maybe Caeli will check in again and let us know. At any rate, I'd talk it over with your priest.

[silk]

Hi 'feelingbetter'. I have struggled with this too. Although I am not a recovering alcoholic, I have not been able to received the host since I went gluten-free in November of 07 and it if very difficult to deal with since the Eucharist is a key part of the mass. I also attend a very large Cathedral with several priests and don't go to any one service because several times are offered and we usually hit the one that is most convenient for what is going on. This makes it impossible to receive any special considerations and there is just too much risk involved with CC to make it worth it. I have been told by many that taking the Eucharist is not necessary to receive the blessings of the sacrament.

I had such a hard time thought, not going forward with my family. I started to feel like 'what's the point in even going to Church if I can't take part in the Eucharist. It's part of why I joined the Church and because of what we believe to be true about the sacrament andwithout it I felt like I could attend any service anywhere. I almost felt ashamed like those around me would notice that I was not going and that it was because I was in a state of mortal sin. (I know, it sounds dramatic) but it felt so strange not to partake in something that was such a privilege to me ( I am a convert of 25 years.) And then there was the 'where do I sit?' factor because if you sit in the middle, people have to crawl over you to get out and back in. So I came upon the solution to all of this FINALLY!! on Easter this year. I just walked forward with my husband and daughter and bowed before the host while my daughter was receiving communion and stepped aside and walked back to our seat with her. It felt so much better and it also felt like I was more a part of the sacrament than just sitting in the pew as an observer.

Hope this helps. God Bless You

[feelingbetter]

Silk and Carla thanks for the feedback. I know that I can always go up and fold my arms across my chest and the priest will give me a blessing. I was to sick to go to mass last Sunday so didn't have to cross that bridge. I know I have a huge pride problem. Feeling like everyone is wondering why I'm not going up or not receiving. As if people even notice. I think I will just go up for the blessing and be done with it. This has been a hard one for me. This disease is so life altering. I am still grieving many things.

Brenda