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Celiac.com 01/08/2025 - For Catholics with celiac disease, safely partaking in Holy Communion can be a deeply personal and complex issue. The unique challenge lies in balancing religious practices with medical requirements. Here, we explore the intricacies of low-gluten hosts and their safety, offering practical advice for individuals and parishes. Understanding Gluten-Free Standards and Church Accommodation Celiac disease requires strict dietary adherence, but the Catholic Church accommodates these needs by allowing low-gluten hosts for communion. Australia, in particular, upholds some of the world’s strictest gluten-free standards. The Coeliac Society of Australia has confirmed that low-gluten hosts—though not entirely free of gluten—are likely safe for many individuals with celiac disease. The key to understanding their safety lies in the numbers. People with celiac disease are typically advised to limit gluten intake to less than 10 milligrams per day. While this threshold may vary slightly, it is a useful guideline. Comparatively, a typical slice of bread far exceeds this amount, containing thousands of milligrams of gluten. Low-Gluten Hosts: A Breakdown of Gluten Levels Low-gluten hosts, such as those manufactured by companies like Cavanagh Altar Breads, weigh about 33 milligrams each and contain between 5 and 70 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. At the lower end of this spectrum, a host would contain approximately 0.0002 milligrams of gluten—an amount significantly below the daily safe limit. Even at higher ppm levels, the amount of gluten in these hosts is minimal, especially since they are consumed infrequently. The Coeliac Society of Australia supports this conclusion, though individuals with heightened sensitivity may need to proceed with extra caution. Addressing Gluten Reactions Despite these assurances, some individuals still experience reactions to low-gluten hosts. There are two primary reasons for this: heightened sensitivity or cross-contamination. For those who are hypersensitive, consuming the Blood of Christ only—an acceptable alternative under Catholic doctrine—may be the safest option. However, cross-contamination during the liturgy is a more common issue. Preventing Cross-Contamination During Mass, there are several opportunities for gluten to inadvertently transfer to a low-gluten host. For instance, when the priest breaks the Eucharistic bread (the fraction rite), crumbs may fall near or into the pyx containing low-gluten hosts. This risk can be reduced by positioning the pyx away from the main altar bread. Handling practices also play a role. The priest or minister distributing communion should avoid direct contact with the low-gluten host to minimize contamination. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference recommends handing the pyx directly to the communicant rather than touching the host itself. Managing the Chalice and Cleansing Rituals For individuals receiving the Blood of Christ, additional precautions are necessary. The chalice used for celiac communicants should be separate from those used during the rite of commingling, where a fragment of the host is added to the wine. This ensures that gluten does not accidentally enter the chalice. Cleansing practices also require attention. If a chalice is improperly cleaned after a previous service, trace amounts of gluten could remain. Assigning a specific acolyte to handle celiac-safe chalices and ensuring thorough cleaning are effective ways to mitigate this risk. Collaboration Between Individuals and Parishes Successful navigation of low-gluten communion requires open communication between individuals with celiac disease and their parish. Discussing specific needs with the priest and clarifying the available accommodations can prevent misunderstandings and enhance safety. Parishes can further support congregants by training liturgical ministers on best practices for preventing cross-contamination. Dedicating specific chalices and maintaining clear protocols for cleaning vessels are simple yet impactful measures. The Importance of Medical Monitoring Finally, individuals with celiac disease should continue regular medical monitoring, even if they appear to tolerate low-gluten hosts. This allows for early detection of potential damage and ensures long-term health. Consulting with healthcare providers about any symptoms or concerns provides an additional layer of protection. The Goal: Safe Communion for All Low-gluten hosts offer a viable option for many Catholics with celiac disease, enabling them to fully participate in the sacrament of Holy Communion. By understanding the gluten content, implementing safeguards against cross-contamination, and fostering dialogue between parishioners and clergy, the Church can ensure that all members can partake safely. For those living with celiac disease, these measures represent both a physical and spiritual opportunity to embrace their faith without compromising their health. Read more at: catholicweekly.com.au Watch the video version of this article:
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Celiac.com 12/09/2009 - I vividly recall the day I received my First Communion, the Sacrament a young Catholic child waits years to make. I still have the group picture of my second grade Catholic School Class; the girls all wearing white dresses with veils, and the boys, suits with clip on neckties. I stood in the front row beside my friends, excited that our time had arrived—the moment when we were finally able to join our parents in receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. In my family we went to Church every Sunday morning, and celebrated Holy Days, while my parents struggled to put us through Catholic School; paying for our education so we’d learn religious studies along with math, reading, and science. Both of my parents also attended Catholic School, in a time where most of the educators were Nuns and Brothers. When I was born, after Vatican 2, the Catholic Church had evolved, in an attempt to grow with a changing society. The Nuns who taught me in school no long wore their religious habits, but rather, the same clothing as lay teachers; yet always with a crucifix worn over their sweaters and dress shirts. One of my favorite Church songs was titled Gift of Finest Wheat. The lines I distinctly remember, and continue singing along with at Church as an adult are, “you satisfy the hungry heart, with gift of finest wheat,” and “come give to us, oh saving Lord, the Bread of Life to eat.” Perhaps my second grade class sang Gift of Finest Wheat before receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion, that spring day, many years ago. I followed the rest of my class toward our Parish Priest, prepared to hear the words, “The Body of Christ,” before I responded with nervousness and reverence, “Amen.” My hands probably shook while placing the Communion Host in my mouth, tasting the dry unleavened wheat bread. Twenty five years after receiving my First Holy Communion, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. In the weeks following this life changing diagnosis, my focus was on the dietary restrictions I would now need to follow in order to heal my body. Not once did I contemplate the ramifications of my Catholic faith. In fact, I continued receiving the Communion host for several months, refusing to alter my reception of this central part of my religious life. When I continued to remain ill, particularly after receiving my weekly Eucharist, I asked a dietitian if I should forgo Communion. She answered with a sympathetic, “Yes.” So what happens when a practicing Catholic learns that the Communion Host, the Body of Christ, the pinnacle of Mass, is making them sick? According to Cannon 935 of the 1983 Cannon Law, “bread for Communion must be made of wheat alone, and no substitutes which would invalidate the Sacrament.” In short, the Catholic Church forbids the use of Communion Hosts not made of wheat. A practicing Catholic may continue to receive Communion through the Blood, or wine, alone—without the Host. It is also advised that a Parishioner speak with their Priest to see if a separate Chalice is available to avoid cross-contamination, as some still dip the Host into the wine during the sacrament. The answer seems simple, doesn’t it? Go to Church and receive Eucharist though the Blood of Christ. But really—how simple is it to forgo on what always seemed to be an essential part of your upbringing, your past, your faith? Communicate with your Priest, educate your Eucharistic Ministers, and continue to practice what you believe in. A helpful website for Catholics with Celiac Disease: www.catholicceliacs.org
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Celiac.com 01/06/2010 - I’ve always loved the season of Advent—the beauty of a new beginning—of celebrating the birth of Jesus. Each Sunday of December, as I watch another candle burning within the Advent wreath, I am reminded of those early years in my youth when I anticipated Christmas by observing the candles on the wreath; two purples, a pink, and lastly, another purple. As children, we always knew, when the final purple candle was lit, Christmas would soon arrive. As I sat in my Church pew this Christmas Eve, I marveled at the large trees lit by white lights, amid a backdrop of fresh poinsettias, along with the smell of incense accompanying our Parish Priest to the altar. I joined the Children’s Choir in singing the beautiful Christmas Carols I still remember brilliantly from my Catholic School days—“Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger,” and “We Three Kings.” I found my eyes filling with tears thinking of family members who live far away, loved ones who have gone before us, and those of our military who are celebrating the holidays away from their spouses and children. I smiled watching youth from the Faith Formation program convene on the Altar dressed as Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds, and the three wise men, one of which had a very impressive beard attached to his innocent face. After publishing my article titled, Catholicism and Celiac Disease, I was amazed and humbled by the number of responses received from celiac sufferers and their family members. I realized that my first article was just that—a first article—because a second one became necessary in order to pass on information which so many other Catholic celiacs deserve the opportunity to hear. What began as a very personal and profound journey for me has become a chance to help others who are finding peace amid a life altering diagnosis. The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, in an effort to help Catholics with celiac disease, have developed a low gluten communion host which still satisfies the Code of Cannon Law stating that Eucharist hosts must be made of water and wheat. Their website states, “Our low gluten bread is made with wheat starch and water. The gluten content is 0.01%. It is made, stored, and shipped in a dedicated gluten-free environment.” The Benedictine Sisters have served over 2,000 Catholics with gluten intolerance, and because of the extremely low gluten content, it appears to be perfectly safe for most celiacs. Their website contains a link to their low gluten host order form. Many Priests, Parishes, and Diocese are now accepting the substitution of traditional Eucharist with these low gluten hosts, developed by the Benedictine Sisters. I advise anyone desiring to receive Eucharist through both the Body and Blood of Christ to speak with your Pastor, and share your diagnosis to find if this option is possible in your Parish. What an amazing opportunity for Catholic Celiacs. I thank those who commented on my first article—noting that their bodies tolerated the low gluten host, and their Priests were open to offering this special host at Holy Communion. If the low gluten host is not an option for your weekly sacrament, please remember some other important advice I was given, Jesus knows your body and what is in your heart. Partaking of Communion through the Blood of Christ is still a full participation of the Holy Sacrament. This spring I will proudly stand behind my son as he receives his First Holy Communion. I am once again reminded of that day long ago when I received the Sacrament for the first time. I pray that he will always find the comfort I have in the love surrounding him each week when he attends Mass. Helpful websites for Catholics with Celiac Disease: Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration : www.benedictinesisters.org Catholic Celiac Society: www.catholicceliacs.org
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