Procedure for receiving low-gluten communion

[maryjk]

Not exactly. I presented a problem statement.

I have Celiac. And I have to say that you haven’t presented a problem statement. I say you have made up a problem and then you have tried to make up a solution.

The image is an initial contribution, intended to open discussion on ways to solve the problem. This particular symbol, the Crossed Grain Symbol, cannot probably be used since it is a trademark, I think, of the Coeliac UK society. But it was not the point, as this particular symbol would not have to be used.

There are literally thousands of new products on the market for those with Celiac or gluten intolerance. Most of these have some type of symbol of wheat on it.

People often ask if someone is selling a product if they want to insinuate that the poster has an agenda to gain profits and that their opinion is self-interested and illegitimate. In this sense, the comment can be regarded as an insult, as I did nothing to indicate that I was selling anything. It would also be derailing the topic if some people recommended praying the rosary, for example, and their motives were questioned by asked if they profit by selling rosary beads.

However, if the comment was to be understood in the literal sense, that is, the poster wanted to know where to buy such signs and if I happened to have them for purchasing. This intention would still not contribute to the topic, and would be served better by a private message, for example.

So tell us your real goal.

As I have said, I have never had a problem and I have been receiving the low gluten Host for about 7 years.

 

[InThePew]

Being celiac I can relate to the problem which the OP is trying to solve although, IMHO, I don’t believe that what he is proposing would be an effective solution. My preferred option would be to receive either first or last although I have seen other situations where an EMOC knew the person who was to receive the low gluten host and had the pyx close by for when that person presented for communion regardless of where in the line they were.
savedbygrace71 - I can certainly relate to how your sister feels; when I was receiving low gluten hosts the misunderstandings and miscommunications made me feel awkward and embarrassed. Going up last was never a problem but I always felt like I was missing out on something when I only received from the chalice despite knowing that that’s not the case, theologically speaking.

With regard to your son’s first communion, I suggest that you talk with the parish priest (whom I presume will be the celebrant) about how to make the occasion as simple as possible for your son. One priest I received from held the low gluten host in his palm underneath the paten unit I came up and then presented it to me in a way that was so subtle I didn’t even notice him doing it and actually thought he’d forgotten. His pastoral concern and thoughtfulness meant a lot to me and perhaps this is something which could work for your son.

 

[pamnbam]

I’ve been worried about this, too, as my son has Celiac and is also making his First Communion this spring. There is a separate ciborium that attaches to a regular ciborium to hold low-gluten hosts. It’s called the G.I.F.T. and nearly solves the low-gluten host issue. It’s the best solution I’ve found. I can’t get my parish on board with it, though; even though I’ve offered to purchase one for parish use.

leafletonline.com/GIFT-LOW-GLUTEN-HOST-CIBORIUM-KIT/productinfo/28092/

My parish usually offers the regular host and the Precious Blood, but for the winter, has stopped offering the cup. For those who are gluten intolerant, they can use the priest’s chalice (but it has part of a host in it)

I’m going to need to sit down and really discuss this before spring…

 

[InThePew]

I’ve been worried about this, too, as my son has Celiac and is also making his First Communion this spring. There is a separate ciborium that attaches to a regular ciborium to hold low-gluten hosts. It’s called the G.I.F.T. and nearly solves the low-gluten host issue. It’s the best solution I’ve found. I can’t get my parish on board with it, though; even though I’ve offered to purchase one for parish use.

My parish usually offers the regular host and the Precious Blood, but for the winter, has stopped offering the cup. For those who are gluten intolerant, they can use the priest’s chalice (but it has part of a host in it)

Being celiac myself, I can relate to your frustrations pamnbam - sometimes just getting the priest to remember is hard enough! The GIFT looks very appealing but also pricey.

How much of a problem this is depends in part on how sensitive your son is - receiving a single host once a week may not be an issue. This is something which you might like to discuss with your sons doctor. otherwise, I suggest that you make an appointment to sit down with your parish priest and explain the issue to him along with your concerns. In my experience, celiac disease if often misunderstood or not understood at all and a little education goes a long way.

 

[maryjk]

I’ve been worried about this, too, as my son has Celiac and is also making his First Communion this spring. There is a separate ciborium that attaches to a regular ciborium to hold low-gluten hosts. It’s called the G.I.F.T. and nearly solves the low-gluten host issue. It’s the best solution I’ve found. I can’t get my parish on board with it, though; even though I’ve offered to purchase one for parish use.

leafletonline.com/GIFT-LOW-GLUTEN-HOST-CIBORIUM-KIT/productinfo/28092/

Do you know how many people at your parish receive the low gluten Host? If there are others, chances are, your pastor has already solved your problem. You just may not be aware of the solution.

Our parish has between 10 and 15 people receiving it every week. Our priest uses large pyx. He places the pyx in the main Ciborium. He knows who receives the low gluten Host. If he forgets, you simply remind him. I do so by slowly shaking my head.

It works the same as the above product, but it doesn’t attach.

If we have a visitor that needs to receive, he lets the priest know, before Mass.

Edited to delete comment about size.

 

[Gorgias]

Tinkinen,

I’m not certain I’m seeing the benefit of having a symbol on one’s person, over simply telling the priest “low gluten, please”…?

In my parish, those who want to receive a low-gluten host present themselves to the sacristan prior to Mass. The low-gluten hosts end up on the priest’s ciborium, so those wishing to receive a low-gluten host go to his line (which is always at the same position).

Is there a reason that this approach is insufficient?

 

[Elizium23]

In my parish, those who want to receive a low-gluten host present themselves to the sacristan prior to Mass. The low-gluten hosts end up on the priest’s ciborium, so those wishing to receive a low-gluten host go to his line (which is always at the same position).

Is there a reason that this approach is insufficient?

Cross-contamination: if the low-gluten hosts touch the regular hosts they could pick up extra gluten. Depending on the levels of sensitivity, this may or may not be a problem. The GIFT pyx solves this readily. They even suggest in the video that the minister changes hands to use the uncontaminated fingers to handle the low-gluten hosts.

 

[maryjk]

Cross-contamination: if the low-gluten hosts touch the regular hosts they could pick up extra gluten. Depending on the levels of sensitivity, this may or may not be a problem. The GIFT pyx solves this readily. They even suggest in the video that the minister changes hands to use the uncontaminated fingers to handle the low-gluten hosts.

If it is in a separate pyx, the problem is solved. It doesn’t have to hang on the side.

 

[Elizium23]

If it is in a separate pyx, the problem is solved. It doesn’t have to hang on the side.

Yes, but Gorgias suggested that the hosts be kept in the priest’s ciborium, not a separate pyx.

 

[maryjk]

Yes, but Gorgias suggested that the hosts be kept in the priest’s ciborium, not a separate pyx.

My point was that this new expensive pyx is a solution looking for a problem. Much like the original poster.

A regular large pyx is a much cheaper and readily available. I just don’t see the need for the special one.

 

[Elizium23]

My point was that this new expensive pyx is a solution looking for a problem. Much like the original poster.

A regular large pyx is a much cheaper and readily available. I just don’t see the need for the special one.

Perhaps it is a man thing because we like gadgets and we like solving problems with them. Perhaps if the parish has a large enough contingent of gluten-sensitive faithful, and one or more of them is generous enough to donate the GIFT pyx to be used liturgically, what is the harm? It shows concern for those with this disability.

I know some parishes which installed an induction loop system for use with hearing aids. This enables the hard-of-hearing to “tune in” to the sound system and eliminate background noise. This is a rather expensive gadget, but once again, it shows concern for those suffering from a disability, so it might be a good solution to a large and well-heeled parish.

 

[Gorgias]

Yes, but Gorgias suggested that the hosts be kept in the priest’s ciborium, not a separate pyx.

Sorry – I meant only to imply that the priest would be the one who was distributing the low-gluten hosts. I was attempting to answer only the question about where the hosts would be distributed, not in what container.

That being said, it’s not difficult to place the low-gluten hosts in their own pyx in the priest’s ciborium. No need for anything fancy, just a normal pyx.

Cross-contamination is a potential problem for some, but not all, of those with sensitivities. If there are individuals for whom this is a concern, it might make sense to arrange for them to receive first (or last) in the congregation.

 

[Tinkinen]

I can tell what my experiences have been like in different parishes.
My home parish usually handles this quite well. There are usually one or two communion lines. If there are two lines, the line that distributes the low-gluten communion is sometimes changed, and there is apparently no way to know this beforehand. If I am on the wrong line, usually the priest fetches the low-gluten communion from the other line, as the lines are quite close to each other. Sometimes I have been instructed to change the line. I am satisfied with either, but I would prefer the practice would stay the same. They have the low-gluten hosts in a pyx that is usually kept on top of the regular ciborium, underneath it or on the side. Some of the priests do not remember to give the low-gluten host right away, so they have to be reminded. Sometimes the low-gluten pyx is misplaced and has to be looked for. All in all, the system works acceptably, if the distributing priests are the regular priests of the parish.

Sometimes there are a visiting priest distributing the communion on one line. Naturally, they do not recognize me by appearance, may not know about the low-gluten hosts at all, and may not share a common language, as some of them speak only Spanish or something else. That was clearly a problem, and the last time this happened one of the regular priests had to intervene and tell him what to do. It was quite a hassle.

So, relying on verbal communication is not a complete solution. In fact, in one church I could not be sure if the priest was giving the right host, so asked if he had the low-gluten host. After the mass, he disapproved of the behavior and said that I should not disturb the distribution of communion by asking questions. Any issues should be resolved before the mass. Other priests have not had a problem with asking for confirmation, so this was his personal issue. But as I have said, priests do not always remember to give the low-gluten host to the right person, even if they have consecrated one, this rule would make receiving communion in his church a no-win situation.
There is another problem with verbal communication. People do not usually announce their diseases in public. A non-verbal sign would help to protect privacy.

So, in order to have a solution to the distribution of the low-gluten hosts, the procedure would have to be nondisruptive, well-recognized and robust such that it would work with previously unknown, visiting priests and while travelling, even if people do not share a common language, and preferrably also protect privacy.

 

[paperwight66]

.

Sometimes there are a visiting priest distributing the communion on one line. Naturally, they do not recognize me by appearance, may not know about the low-gluten hosts at all, and may not share a common language, as some of them speak only Spanish or something else. .

So, relying on verbal communication is not a complete solution. In fact, in one church I could not be sure if the priest was giving the right host, so asked if he had the low-gluten host…
There is another problem with verbal communication. People do not usually announce their diseases in public. A non-verbal sign would help to protect privacy.

.

Ok, your point about a visiting priest not understanding English - do you have a visiting priest every week? I know our parish doesn’t. How often is a visiting priest completely thrown by this situation of someone not being able to receive the normal Host, anyway? It’s not like it doesn’t occur in other countries.

Not being sure you are being given a low-gluten Host? Simple, buy a box of square ones and donate them to the parish. That is what someone must have done in our parish as I came across them the other week in the supplies cupboard. Or perhaps they were bought in, ‘just in case’. The point is, there are low-gluten altar-breads specifically made a non-standard shape, so they can be easily recognised.

Announcing diseases in public? Come on, I know it’s called coeliac ‘disease’, but surely it’s more of a condition than a disease, i.e. it’s not catching, which most people think of as a disease. Would you be bothered if others knew you were diabetic, for instance? Or had arthritis? And how is it in public. exactly? Most coeliacs in our parish just alert the sacristan or priest in the sacristy before Mass, hardly in public. That is, when they are not just receiving from the chalice only. They mention they need a special altar-bread (if they don’t provide one themselves in their own pyx) and clarify that they will come up last or first or whatever.

I really think you are making it into a huge problem, where it is not.