Low Gluten Hosts...yea Or Nay?

[Jnkmnky]

My son will begin CRE in the fall. I have awhile before we get to the whole Communion controvery/low gluten hosts/alcohol in wine/low alcohol wine... So, I'm just beginning to consider all the aspects of this event.

Does anyone have any experience actually eating the low gluten hosts? Did you get sick?

I did some research last week and printed out a bunch of info to keep for the future, but I'm not sure after looking at the numbers stating how much gluten these hosts contain, if it's harmful. I'm confused and not very good with math. I've heard there's a low alcohol wine, mustin, that's available.

My church is very friendly, but they still have to work within the guidlines laid out for them. I don't expect they'll consider blessing a rice cracker because they're hung up on the whole "recipe" they believe Jesus handed down along with the commmand, "Do this in memory of me."

Anyway. Happy Catholic here. Not sweating the issue. Not going to. Just curious how I plan to see it through. Any wisdom from practicing Catholics here would be much appreciated.

[Ruth]

Last year, my daughter recieved her 1st communion. We used the low-gluten host that one time. We don't use it every week (we go w/out). While one time did not make either of us sick, her doctor did not recommend we have it on a regular basis.

[celiac3270]

Theoretically, you can take the low-gluten host without adverse effects. I agree, though, that it's not a good idea to take it all the time. After all, the typical gluten-free diet has some very small and inevitable contamination (even when you're being absolutely "perfect"). This little amount is, if you're careful enough, so minute that it causes no reaction. But take the inevitable small amount of contamination, add some intentional contamination with the host, maybe slight cross contamination with a processed food that wouldn't otherwise be enough to get you sick, but with the host, as well, pushes you over the limit--reaction.

For first Communion, you could probably use the low-gluten host since it is approved by some celiac experts...or the wine, provided that you can verify that the wafers are not dipped in the wine prior to the mass, etc. I would not recommend, however, that you do this every week.

[domineske]

My daughter receives the low-gluten host about once a month. The rest of the time, she receives only the wine. She has tested negatively (no exposure to gluten)twice.

(By the way, when her tests indicate that she was NOT exposed to gluten, do we call that testing positively or negatively? It's was certainly good news for us!!)

[Guest Lucy]

I'd say let him take it. That's my vote.

[connole1056]

When my daughter made her First Communion she had the wine, and does every week. I did not want to get into the low-gluten host, but ifyou do and it will be a couple of times only it probably will not matter. It is likely a child will ingest gluten at some point.If I were to use the host I would wait and see if there is a reaction after the First Communion before deciding what to do afterwards though.

[Carriefaith]

I don't think it is worth the chance. I don't take the bread at communion, I don't think it's a good idea to delibrately eat gluten, even if it is a small portion.