Celiac Disease and Communion: Navigating Faith and Health in the Pew
“If you are in need of a very, very low percentage gluten host, please see me in my Communion line.” This seemingly innocuous announcement,heard during a Catholic Mass,took on a whole new meaning seven years later when I received my own celiac disease diagnosis.
As a college freshman,dietary restrictions were far from my mind. But the unexpected diagnosis turned my world,and my participation in Mass,upside down. The initial experience of receiving communion after my diagnosis was jarring. The priest, who had previously provided low-gluten hosts, confessed, “I forgot your hosts today. Is it O.K. if I just give you a very tiny piece?”
The offer of a “tiny piece” was far from okay, as my doctor later emphasized. For the approximately three million Americans with celiac disease, even trace amounts of gluten—more than 20 parts per million—trigger a damaging autoimmune response in the gut. To put this in viewpoint,a typical slice of wheat bread contains roughly 100,000 parts per million of gluten.
The Catholic Church’s teaching requires that the bread used for the Eucharist contain enough gluten to be considered valid. However,there’s no defined minimum. This leaves individuals with celiac disease in a challenging position. Fortunately, the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops (USCCB) has approved the use of ultra-low gluten hosts, containing less than 20 ppm, offering a solution for many.
My experience highlights a crucial point: the gap between official guidelines and practical implementation. while the USCCB provides clear guidance on the availability of low-gluten hosts (see their website for details), consistent access remains a challenge. This underscores the need for continued dialog and education within the Catholic community to ensure all parishioners can fully participate in the sacraments.
Since my diagnosis, I’ve become a more assertive advocate for my needs. My journey underscores the importance of open communication between individuals with celiac disease and their religious leaders to ensure respectful and safe participation in religious practices. The experience, while initially challenging, has strengthened my faith and highlighted the importance of advocating for oneself and others within the community.
For more details on celiac disease, visit the Beyond Celiac website: https://www.beyondceliac.org/prevalence-of-celiac-disease/
Navigating Communion: A Celiac’s Faith Journey
For Catholics with celiac disease,receiving communion presents unique challenges. The journey often involves navigating varying levels of understanding and accommodation within different parishes across the United States. This personal account highlights the realities faced by one individual, showcasing both the frustrations and the profound moments of faith that have emerged.
The experience, as described, is a tapestry woven with threads of patience, frustration, exhaustion, and ultimately, deep gratitude. “I once spent 15 minutes talking with a priest at a parish I was visiting trying to convince him that I wasn’t trying to scam him and that the box of low gluten hosts I was offering—labeled ‘U.S.C.C.B.approved’—was, actually, U.S.C.C.B. approved,” the individual recounts. This anecdote underscores the sometimes unexpected hurdles faced in simply ensuring safe participation in the sacrament.
Further illustrating the inconsistencies,another experience describes attending Mass after a backpacking trip without low-gluten hosts. A request for a separate chalice was denied,highlighting the need for greater awareness and versatility within the church. In another instance, a home parish ran out of low-gluten hosts, leaving the individual responsible for procuring replacements.”Suffice it to say that it was several months before I received Communion again because I didn’t have the mental capacity to remember to place an order,” she shares, emphasizing the emotional and logistical burdens involved.
Though, amidst these challenges, moments of profound faith and community shine through. The individual describes a particularly moving experience at the University of Texas at austin, where a priest proactively kept a supply of consecrated, low-gluten hosts. “A priest at the University of Texas at Austin shared with me that they kept a small supply of consecrated, low-gluten hosts in the tabernacle at all times, allowing me to recieve Communion in a time of spiritual desolation,” she recalls. This act of thoughtful inclusion stands in stark contrast to some of the more difficult experiences.
The narrative culminates with a reflection on the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Attending the congress, the individual observed the immense outpouring of faith, contrasting it with her own personal journey. “While I would never wish this disease on anyone, it has prompted a personal eucharistic revival of sorts within my own spiritual life,” she reflects. The experience of feeling excluded from communion deepened her appreciation for the sacrament and the importance of community within the church.
The author concludes with a hopeful plea: “As we pray for the National Eucharistic Revival to sweep the country, I pray that more parishes will be as ‘trendy’ as my college was and will begin providing ‘very, very low percentage gluten’ hosts. It is worth striving for all Catholics to share in the real presence.” This call for greater inclusivity and accessibility resonates deeply, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and adaptation within the Catholic Church to better serve the needs of all its members.
This personal story underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the needs of individuals with celiac disease within the Catholic community. It’s a testament to the enduring power of faith, even in the face of significant challenges.
Read next: I encountered the real presence of the American church at the Eucharistic Congress.
Communion and Celiac disease: A Conversation on Inclusion and Faith
This interview delves into the challenges facing Catholics with celiac disease who seek to fully partake in Communion.
Dr. Sarah O’Connor, a leading researcher on celiac disease and a devout Catholic, joins us to discuss the intersection of faith and health in the context of this frequently enough overlooked issue.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: Dr.O’Connor, thank you for joining us today. This topic is incredibly critically importent for many within the Catholic community,and we appreciate your expertise.
let’s start with the basics. Can you explain to our readership what celiac disease is and why receiving traditional communion can be problematic for those living with it?
Dr. O’Connor: Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine, leading to damage that prevents the absorption of vital nutrients.
Traditional communion hosts are made with wheat flour, which contains gluten. Even trace amounts of gluten can be harmful to individuals with celiac disease.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: You mentioned trace amounts. How much gluten is considered safe for someone with celiac disease?
Dr. O’Connor: The threshold is very low. For most individuals with celiac disease, consuming more than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten can trigger an immune response. To put that in perspective, a regular slice of bread contains roughly 100,000 ppm of gluten.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: Now, the Catholic Church has specific teachings regarding the bread used for communion. How does this impact individuals with celiac disease who wish to receive the Eucharist?
Dr.O’Connor: This is where the complexities arise. The Church requires that the bread used for the Eucharist contain enough gluten to be considered valid matter. While there is no defined minimum gluten content, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has approved the use of ultra-low gluten hosts containing less than 20 ppm, offering a potential solution.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: however, even with these guidelines, there are reports of inconsistencies in the availability of these low-gluten hosts across parishes.
Dr. O’connor: That’s correct. While the USCCB’s stance is commendable, implementation can vary substantially. Some parishes are incredibly proactive, ensuring low-gluten hosts are readily available and advertised.However, others may lack awareness, be unsure of the sourcing for these hosts, or simply not prioritize their availability.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: What advice would you give to Catholics with celiac disease who find themselves struggling to participate in Communion due to these challenges?
Dr. O’Connor: It is crucial to advocate for oneself.Reach out to the priest or parish staff and explain your situation calmly and respectfully.
Be prepared to offer facts about low-gluten hosts and the USCCB guidelines if needed.
Remember, you have a right to participate fully in the sacraments.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: Moving forward, what steps can be taken to ensure greater inclusivity for Catholics with celiac disease?
Dr.O’Connor: Education is paramount. Priests, parish staff, and the Catholic community as a whole need to be better informed about celiac disease and the available options.
Increased transparency about the type of hosts used during Mass would also be helpful.
Making low-gluten hosts more widely accessible and clearly signaling their availability would create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: Dr. O’Connor,thank you for shedding light on this important issue. Your insights are invaluable.
Dr. O’Connor: My pleasure. It’s essential to ensure that everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, feels able to fully participate in the richness of the catholic faith.
