Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Catholic Communion Logistics - Need Advice!

Emily928

Recommended Posts

Emily928 Newbie
Emily928
Posted

I am a Catholic and have been diagnosed with Celiac for almost two years. Shortly after my diagnosis I talked to my priest, to explained that it is perfectly okay to receive communion only in the form of wine. I am ok with the risk of cross-contamination from other communicants (and the chalice with the wafer is only given to the Eucharistic Ministers). My question is with the logistics of only receiving wine. I usually just "skip" the wafer line, basically heading over into the wine line before I get to the front, but it's always a little awkward. I don't want to cut in front of the person in front of me, and sometimes the Eucharistic Ministers give me weird looks or even try to get me to receive the wafer. I'm not really interested in the low gluten host as my church is really large and I go to different masses each week. As far as I know, there aren't any other members of my parish with Celiac.

Do you have any strategies for receiving wine that aren't so awkward? Thanks!!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Our wine holder person is next to the communion wafer person. I follow my row up and when the person in front of me is getting the wafer, I pop over to the wine. I talked to a friend that is a E. Minister & he said they won't think its odd. Maybe your priest could explain to them about skipping the host. Or after mass, tell a couple of them what's going on briefly. I get messed up when the cup with the host piece ends up in my line.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I agree with Karen--a word to the Eucharistic Ministers from the Priest should do the trick.

TrillumHunter Enthusiast
TrillumHunter
Posted

I do what Kareng does. We always sit up front--second or third pew--to avoid the cc problem. The chalice with the Precious Body ALMOST always goes to the other side. When it does come to my side, I stay in the pew for Spiritual Communion. Remember, we aren't required to receive each week, only to celebrate the Mass.

There should be a coordinator for EMHC listed in your parish directory. I'm sure if you gave them a call, they would include this in the training.

Your doing the right thing and don't let anyone embarrass you. ;)

Looking for answers Contributor
Looking for answers
Posted

If anyone has advice for me I'd appreciate it as well. Communion at my church requires us to take a a piece of the loaf from our pastor and dunk it into the wine. The wine is always full of bread so I haven't been able to participate for a while and it makes me sad.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

If anyone has advice for me I'd appreciate it as well. Communion at my church requires us to take a a piece of the loaf from our pastor and dunk it into the wine. The wine is always full of bread so I haven't been able to participate for a while and it makes me sad.

If you feel comfortable, you could discuss with your Priest if it would be ok for you to purchase a small Chalice for your personal use.

prisskitty Rookie
prisskitty
Posted

If you feel comfortable, you could discuss with your Priest if it would be ok for you to purchase a small Chalice for your personal use.

Not to but in or anything but I'm not religious, so how often do you receive comm?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kayo Explorer
kayo
Posted

Could you bring your own gluten-free wafers prior to mass, have the priest bless them, and then bring your own single wafer for communion? You could hand it to the priest/deacon when you approach them and then they could do their thing and hand it back to you. There are some nuns who make gluten free wafers. I'll look for that link/info.

Here's the link. It says low-gluten rather than gluten free so you may want to call:

Open Original Shared Link

conniebky Collaborator
conniebky
Posted

This is an interesting thread. So the wafer definitely gluten laden?

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

If anyone has advice for me I'd appreciate it as well. Communion at my church requires us to take a a piece of the loaf from our pastor and dunk it into the wine. The wine is always full of bread so I haven't been able to participate for a while and it makes me sad.

I have heard that some churches will put out a paper cup of wine for people who can't use the communal cup. Celiac but also, low immune systems from Chemo, etc. Ask at church.

Not to but in or anything but I'm not religious, so how often do you receive comm?

Catholics usually recieve every week.

This is an interesting thread. So the wafer definitely gluten laden?

The wafer is made from wheat. The alternatives still have a touch of wheat in them. Trying to change a tradion in a large religion is difficult. It is thought that if it doesn't contain wheat it isn't like the bread Jesus had at the last supper.

conniebky Collaborator
conniebky
Posted

WEll, I'm just really really sad to hear this. This is something I hadn't even thought about and changes everything for my own private ritual when I take the Eucharist. :(

K8ling Enthusiast
K8ling
Posted

Could you bring your own gluten-free wafers prior to mass, have the priest bless them, and then bring your own single wafer for communion? You could hand it to the priest/deacon when you approach them and then they could do their thing and hand it back to you. There are some nuns who make gluten free wafers. I'll look for that link/info.

Here's the link. It says low-gluten rather than gluten free so you may want to call:

Open Original Shared Link

That's what I do! Fr. Fred has a special little carrier for mine and he keeps it in his pocket. I always go to him for communion. It's like our own little system :). The wine I tend to skip (I am a tiiiiny bit of a germaphobe) but I DO take it at Easter and Christmas.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

WEll, I'm just really really sad to hear this. This is something I hadn't even thought about and changes everything for my own private ritual when I take the Eucharist. :(

Yeah! I always thought they were made of styrofoam - as little as they resemble bread. :)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Scatterbrain
      - Scatterbrain posted a topic in Sports and Fitness
      0

      Feel like I’m starting over

      Hello, I was newly diagnosed in January of this year (2025). Since then I have been strict about staying gluten free and only cooking at home. I started feeling better in July while gradually resuming close to my normal routine of activities and athletics. September and October were extremely stressful due to a new home build being finished and moving...
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams commented on Scott Adams's article in Latest Research
      3

      Study Estimates the Costs of Delayed Celiac Disease Diagnosis (+Video)

      Your story is a testament to the critical importance of an early and accurate diagnosis. It's tough to read about what you had to endure, including multiple surgeries and hospitalizations, all while the root cause—celiac disease—remained undetected for so long. Your experience highlights the consequences of medical ignorance surrounding this condition and...
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Butch68's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      7

      Guinness, can you drink it?

      This is why Daura Damm can be a sponsor here--at 3ppm or less it is gluten-free, and it's doubtful that anyone with celiac disease would ever have issues with such levels. Some people may be reacting to the yeast in the beer, but I seriously doubt that such beers could trigger elevated antibodies or villi damage--the science says such levels won't trigger...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      7

      Related issues

      I have to express some significant skepticism about the drclark cleansing programs you've mentioned. The claim that a specific, three-part parasite and organ cleanse is a universal solution for chronic health issues is a major red flag, as it oversimplifies the immense complexity of the human body and conditions like Celiac disease, which is an autoimmune...
    5. Donna Moxley
      - Donna Moxley commented on Scott Adams's article in Latest Research
      3

      Study Estimates the Costs of Delayed Celiac Disease Diagnosis (+Video)

      I was not a well child and on my own would stop eating certain foods when a stomachache occurred. As I got older, I began more and more anemic and ended up unable to hold food down at all. Once an endoscopy occurred, doctor said I had an obstruction in my stomach but nothing said about Celiac Disease. Dr. did stomach bypass surgery, removed a 1/3 of my...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,277
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Michellesmitty
    Newest Member
    Michellesmitty
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scatterbrain
      Feel like I’m starting over

      By Scatterbrain · Posted

      Hello, I was newly diagnosed in January of this year (2025).  Since then I have been strict about staying gluten free and only cooking at home.  I started feeling better in July while gradually resuming close to my normal routine of activities and athletics. September and October were extremely stressful due to a new home build being finished and moving.  My spouse and I take care of his mom who has advanced dementia and have been since 2021.  We did all the moving as well as get the other house on the market for the month of October.  Since earlier this month I feel like I did back in the early stages of my diagnosis.  Almost all of my symptoms have come back except for the bad abdominal issues.  I haven’t changed my diet or supplements since January and wonder if the stress has caused a set back? Any thoughts are helpful.  Thanks
    • Scott Adams
      Guinness, can you drink it?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is why Daura Damm can be a sponsor here--at 3ppm or less it is gluten-free, and it's doubtful that anyone with celiac disease would ever have issues with such levels. Some people may be reacting to the yeast in the beer, but I seriously doubt that such beers could trigger elevated antibodies or villi damage--the science says such levels won't trigger celiac disease issues.  
    • Scott Adams
      Related issues

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I have to express some significant skepticism about the drclark cleansing programs you've mentioned. The claim that a specific, three-part parasite and organ cleanse is a universal solution for chronic health issues is a major red flag, as it oversimplifies the immense complexity of the human body and conditions like Celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder, not a parasite infection. Regarding your Celiac disease, the reaction you describe, while real to you, does not necessarily confirm a diagnosis; a delayed reaction is common with various digestive issues, and a definitive diagnosis typically requires specific blood tests and an intestinal biopsy, not just a provider's acceptance of symptoms. Furthermore, your mention of approaching mayors seems to misunderstand the role of local government versus federal policy; the deduction for gluten-free food is a federal tax law, and a mayor has no jurisdiction to implement widespread Celiac screening, which is a medical and public health decision far beyond a municipal leader's purview. It sounds like you are navigating a difficult health journey, but I would strongly advise consulting with qualified medical specialists and registered dietitians over relying on unverified online cleansing programs.
    • cristiana
      Rectal pain

      By cristiana · Posted

      When I have had what I think are episodes of this (I've never had a formal diagnosis for PF) it seems to be triggered by bloating caused by something I've eaten - a friend had an episode of this after eating too many apples, for me corn and rice cakes seemed to give me IBS and trigger this.  I am not a medical person but it seemed like the extra pressure down there perhaps added pressure to already sensitised pelvic and rectal muscles. Coeliacs can suffer from bloating when they are first diagnosed due to the inability to digest food properly.  Lactose for me caused a lot of bloating and when I came off it temporarily after diagnosis it helped reduce bloating.  Iron supplements and the timing of taking them also caused discomfort and I had to experiment a bit with type and timing before my gut felt comfortable.   Maybe something to think about?   Some coeliacs suffer from constipation - again, just a thought, but perhaps if you had issues with that it might be a contributor.
    • Rogol72
      Guinness, can you drink it?

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      At a family wedding in Italy last year I was drinking gluten free Peroni which was fine for me. From the Daura Damn website ... " Our guarantee less than 3ppm: each batch is analyzed and certified by the CSIC using the R5 Competitive ELISA test before hitting the market. This way, we ensure that its gluten content is always below 3ppm "
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.