By Matt Miller
A PLACE FOR ALL
For those who have Celiac Sprue Disease or other gluten-intolerant conditions, it can often be difficult to find food products in daily life that will not make them sick. The alternatives may not be readily apparent, or perhaps one is embarrassed to ask or does not want to be a burden. They end up going without, not aware that there may be other options for them.
What the Church wants you to know is that those who do have these conditions do not necessarily have to refrain from receiving Holy Communion. In fact, there are solutions that allow for the reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in a safe and appropriate manner. All it takes is a conversation with your medical provider and your parish to decide on the best course of action.
The bread used for the celebration of the Eucharist must be made of wheat, unleavened, with no other additives. For this bread to be considered “bread,” it has to contain at least a trace amount of gluten, a protein found in wheat. Truly “gluten-free” bread would not be usable for the Eucharist. Thankfully, there are low-gluten hosts available that meet the requirements for valid matter for the Eucharist.
Some whose gluten intolerance is milder may be able to consume a smaller portion of the regular host with little to no trouble. If the gluten in the regular hosts used is too much for one to tolerate, the parish may use these approved low-gluten hosts for those who need them.
When using these low-gluten hosts, care would need to be taken to avoid cross contamination with the regular hosts. This can be avoided by making sure the low-gluten host is prepared in its own vessel, or even a separate pyx that could be handed to the person so the minister did not have to touch the host. Arrangements could be made ahead of time to designate a Communion minister who would have the low-gluten hosts.
In more severe cases, even the minute amount of gluten present in these special hosts is too much. For these circumstances, a separate chalice may be prepared so that the person may receive the Precious Blood. Much like preparations for the low-gluten hosts, there would be a concern of cross contamination. The chalice offered should not be one that contains a particle of the host. And if it is not a separate chalice for the person in need, it at least should be offered to that person first to ensure no traces of gluten from others.
If you do live with Celiac Sprue, please know you have options. Talk to your pastor about your concerns and possible accommodations that could be made. Do not let this be a deterrent to your participation in the Eucharist. And for those who do not have these conditions, may we be prepared to help our brothers and sisters in need, and not take for granted our own reception of Holy Communion.
Matt Miller serves as the Director of the Diocese of Evansville Office of Worship.