Low Gluten Hosts

There are a growing number of the faithful that have been diagnosed with celiac disease and are unable to consume gluten.  According to the teaching of the Church "for bread to be valid matter for the Eucharist, it must be made solely of wheat, contain enough gluten to effect the confection of bread, be free of foreign materials, and unaffected by any preparation or baking methods which would alter its nature."  All hosts must contain some gluten, there are approved low gluten hosts that contain a low amount of gluten that is approved for use by those with celiac (parishioners should always seek advice from their medical professionals to determine if they can receive these hosts).  If someone cannot receive even the low gluten host, they may receive from a chalice prepared for them, even if the rest of the congregation does not receive from the chalice.  It is necessary to use ever precaution to not cross contaminate either the low gluten host, or the chalice.  A separate ciborium or pix must be used for the low gluten host, or a separate chalice that only those with celiac are to use.  In the Diocese of Kalamazoo parishes may only use those hosts that are approved by the USCCB.  Currently these are listed in the box to the right.

An updated list is kept at the USCCB here.

To read the original information from the USCCB click below: 
https://www.usccb.org/resources/newsletter-2012-10.pdf