Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • 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

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

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

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

TrillumHunter Enthusiast

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

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

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

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

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

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

kareng Grand Master

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

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

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

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.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,151
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    lexiadams
    Newest Member
    lexiadams
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • mermaidluver22
      @Scott Adams Thank you so much for this thoughtful and encouraging reply 💛 It really helps me feel less alone navigating all of this! I’ve definitely been strict gluten-free, but I’ll admit — in the beginning, I honestly knew nothing about cross-contamination 😅 so it’s very possible my gut is still healing from that. I feel very abnormal because I am not a typical celiac or a typical Crohn's, so it makes me feel very stuck. 
    • nanny marley
      Hi still the same unfortunately, they had to cancel my colonoscopy due to my trapped nerve , I'm awaiting some kind of scan , it was the nurses who  told me to refuse and asked a docter , and I was told to cancel and go back to my consultant , I think because my sciatic nerve is compressed between my herniated discs , the prep was enough I could handle , but the colonoscopy itself , they advised me to seek something different ,due to the position I had to be in and the movements , so I will update Wen I know more , thankyou for asking appreciated 🤗
    • Scott Adams
      It sounds like you're navigating a complex situation with your celiac disease, and it’s understandable to feel confused by the GI world! While celiac disease typically affects the duodenum and proximal small intestine, it’s possible for inflammation to extend to the ileum, especially in cases of more severe or longstanding damage. Since your tTG-IgA remains elevated despite a strict gluten-free diet, this could indicate ongoing healing or subtle gluten exposure. The ileal inflammation might still be related to celiac, though it’s good your doctor is ruling out other conditions like Crohn’s, given the nonspecific biopsy findings. Some people with celiac do report ileal involvement, particularly if they have refractory disease or delayed healing. Keeping close follow-up with your GI and possibly revisiting your diet for hidden gluten sources could help. Hang in there—it’s a journey, and you’re doing great by staying proactive!
    • mermaidluver22
      hi, how are u now? any answers?
    • mermaidluver22
      I have biopsy-confirmed celiac disease and have been strictly gluten-free, but my tTG-IgA is still elevated, so I know I'm still healing. I recently had a capsule endoscopy that showed small erosions and inflammation only in the distal ileum — nothing in the upper small intestine. My GI isn’t calling it Crohn’s yet because biopsies showed only mild, non-specific inflammation with no chronic features. Has anyone experienced celiac impacting their ileum as well? the gi world is so confusing! thank u ❤️ 
×
×
  • Create New...