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Low Gluten Altar Breads
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What does the Catholic Church say about the use of low-gluten hosts? According to tradition, Jesus used unleavened wheat bread at the Last Supper. This tradition was confirmed in 2003 in an official letter from the Vatican regarding using low-gluten hosts. Because bread used for consecration must consist of only wheat and water, the low-gluten option uses wheat starch and water. Wheat starch is processed to remove the gluten; it is considered gluten-free and has been used in gluten-free products in Europe for decades.
The altar breads we use at St. Matthew Catholic Church, made by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, are
verified to contain <10 ppm (parts per million) gluten, or <0.001%. (Gluten-free is defined by the FDA as a product containing <20 ppm gluten.) Most individuals with celiac disease should be able to consume low-gluten hosts at Mass without adverse effects; however, you know what you can tolerate. Consider consulting your physician if there are any questions.
Why can't someone with celiac disease consume the host? Don't we believe it has become the Body of Christ rather than bread? The Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 clarified the Catholic belief about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Each object has both substance and accidents. The substance is what it truly is while the accidents, such as taste, color, and texture, can vary. During the Consecration, the substance of the bread becomes Christ's body and blood, but the accidents remain unchanged. Thus, if bread contains gluten before consecration, it also contains gluten after.
Unfortunately, this option will not work for me. What can I do? We hope that all parishioners will be able to receive Holy Communion sacramentally. However, making a spiritual Communion during Mass instead of a sacramental Communion might still be necessary due to your health restrictions or when visiting another parish.If you wish to receive the low-gluten host, please follow these instructions. At the time of Communion, stand in the Priest’s (the presider’s) line as only he will have the low-gluten hosts. When you step up to the priest, point to the small gold vessel, which will be hooked onto the ciborium to indicate your need for a low-gluten host.