St. Thomas’s now offers low-gluten communion hosts for those who have gluten allergies, sensitivities, or celiac disease. I am mindful that for those with celiac disease, there are often few options to participate in the Eucharist safely.
Sourcing hosts safe for consumption for those with celiac disease
These hosts are approved for liturgical use in the Catholic Church in the United States and Canada and contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. They have been deemed safe for consumption for those with celiac disease.
Baking of the low-gluten hosts is done in a dedicated bakery using positive air pressure to create a room that is free of contaminants. The equipment used in production is also dedicated to low-gluten baking and is not used for regular altar bread production.
How to request a low-gluten host
Low-gluten communion hosts are available upon request. If you require one, please inform the sidespeople prior to the start of the service. The low-gluten hosts will be kept in a dedicated pyx in a small bowl to prevent cross-contamination. When approaching for communion, please inform the priest that you require a low-gluten host; the priest will present the pyx to the communicant to open and consume.
What is celiac disease?
From the Celiac Disease Foundation: “Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide, but only about 30% are properly diagnosed. When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley), their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine.” This can lead to long-term health complications if left undiagnosed. Currently, there is no treatment apart from maintaining a gluten-free diet.
Approved for use
Low- or reduced-gluten hosts have been approved for use by both the US and Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops as they satisfy both the theological definition of bread that is appropriate for the Eucharist and tests for safe consumption by people with celiac disease so long as they are kept separate from the standard communion hosts.
The Eucharist is the sharing of Christ’s Body and Blood, which appear in the species of bread and wine. However, standard communion hosts can trigger symptoms for people with celiac disease, and consumption from the common cup can also trigger symptoms due to cross-contamination of gluten from the bread coming into the wine. By offering an option for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, we are able to safely allow all to participate in the sharing of Christ’s Body and Blood.
Fr. James Shire