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Jana
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| First Name: | Jana | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Baptist, Non-Denominational, Undecided |
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Posted: Thu Jun 19th, 2008 02:45 am |
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What perspective ought a person who is allergic to wheat or who has Celiac Disease and is wheat gluten intolerant take in regards to the Eucharist and participating in Holy Communion?
That God doesn't invite them to participate? That they are expected to participate once a year and give thanks for the suffering that results from it? That they should expect to be excused from the sacrament? That the host is the body of Christ, therefore not harmful? Other?
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...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these...
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Thu Jun 19th, 2008 03:43 am |
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Jana, your questions indicate that you are not cognizant of the fact that there are two elements to the Eucharist, and that either element by itself is sufficient for sacramental communion. The Catechism states:
1374… In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.” “This presence is called ‘real’ — by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘real’ too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present.”…
1377… Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ.
This means that Christ is completely present both in each particle of the host and in each drop contained in the chalice. So if a person cannot, for physical reasons, partake of the one, he can still partake of the other and thus participate fully in communion.
Since the partaking of the cup only is not normal communion procedure, it is necessary to make prior arrangement with the priest in order to receive in this manner. With the understanding that the person suffers from celiac disease or an allergy which prevents him from consuming the host, there should be no difficulty in providing for such special needs.
David
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Jana
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| Joined: | Sun Jun 15th, 2008 |
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| First Name: | Jana | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Baptist, Non-Denominational, Undecided |
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Posted: Thu Jun 19th, 2008 04:10 am |
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| Thank you Doug. It is true, I did not understand that one element is sufficient.
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...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these...
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CajunRick
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Posted: Thu Jun 19th, 2008 04:56 am |
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Welcome to the forum, Jana. I know you had to work hard to get here, and we appreciate the effort.
In addition to what David mentioned, there are hosts available that are extremely low in gluten so as to be virtually gluten-free, and are suitable for all but the most severe Celiac sufferers. With prior arrangement, any priest can provide low-gluten hosts for those who cannot consume the regular hosts.
A few years ago, the bishops of the United States issued a statement on the Eucharist and sufferers of Celiac Sprue disease. You'll find that statement at http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/celiasprue.shtml . It includes the approved sources for low-gluten hosts.
And of course, as David mentioned, there is always the option of consuming only the Precious Blood, which can be made available by prior arrangement even in those communities where it is not ordinarily served to the congregation.
Last edited on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 05:06 am by
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Jana
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| First Name: | Jana | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Baptist, Non-Denominational, Undecided |
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 02:55 am |
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| Thank you CajunRick. I expected the forums to be educational...but I consider the instructions on clearing temporary internet files and cookies a real BONUS!! : )
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...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these...
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CajunRick
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 05:06 am |
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Jana wrote: Thank you CajunRick. I expected the forums to be educational...but I consider the instructions on clearing temporary internet files and cookies a real BONUS!! : )
Any day you don't learn something is a day you wasted, and I've learned so much around here from all of the users that I'm happy to give back. Don't forget the antivirus instructions I just posted!
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Credo Catholic
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| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 09:55 pm |
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| Hi Jana, welcome to the forum! I found your question interesting because I have observed one of the nuns at our church receiving only the Precious Blood, and not the Host. She is glutent intolerant, I believe. She waits until the communion line is almost done, and then she goes forward and the priest offers her the chalice. It is done so smoothly that most people wouldn't notice. I hope you will be able to work that out with your pastor. God bless!
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Intercessor
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 11:12 pm |
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Hi, Jana,
Welcome to the forum! 
Becky
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Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. . .the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. . . NAB James 1:2-4,12
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MissMusicTeacher
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| First Name: | Laura | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | EVFree, Catholic seeker |
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Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 04:52 pm |
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Thank you for the information in this thread. I also have celiac disease and have wondered the same question.
On the issue of cross-exposure: at any time is the host dipped in the cup, or is it broken over the cup so that crumbs might fall into the cup? Even a crumb will make most or all celiacs extremely sick (for example, I will be nearly bedridden for several days) and it is very important that there is no accidental consumption of gluten.
Laura
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CajunRick
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Posted: Fri Jul 11th, 2008 05:49 pm |
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MissMusicTeacher wrote: Thank you for the information in this thread. I also have celiac disease and have wondered the same question.
On the issue of cross-exposure: at any time is the host dipped in the cup, or is it broken over the cup so that crumbs might fall into the cup? Even a crumb will make most or all celiacs extremely sick (for example, I will be nearly bedridden for several days) and it is very important that there is no accidental consumption of gluten.
Laura
The priest breaks his host over his chalice, but that is usually not the chalice used by the people. Those with allergies or other health problems should simply make arrangements with the priest so they may receive the Eucharist in a manner that will cause them the fewest problems. It may simply mean receiving communion first, or possibly from a separate cup, but I would imagine all priests would be happy to make the accommodation.
Those who require special accommodations should absolutely discuss their needs with the priest (or the bishop if necessary) and make special arrangements to satisfy their needs. The only accommodations that cannot be made is to substitute invalid matter (like rice flour). As long as the host is made of wheat flour and water, and the wine is naturally fermented from grapes, anything else is possible.
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