Valid Communion Issue in NJ

[mystified]

Not sure why there could be much of a problem with receiving the Precious Blood. As I recall in handling altar wine, it generally was rather low in alcohol anyway. Then a small amount of water is added before the consecration. One would not be getting much alcohol in a small sip, usually less than a thimbleful.
The use of mustum which is 1% before the ceremonial dilution, would reduce the volume of alcohol consumed to microscopic proportion.

 

[LilyM]

One of my old roommates used to have a mild wheat allergy. I understand that those who have the more aggressive form of this disease could get sick just by sipping wine after someone else who took the bread. What then? Do these people not get to receive the body and blood because of a defect?

Haven’t they made gluten-free wheat bread in the past? Would there be some way to make a totally gluten-free wafer?

Someone who’s sick enough to be fed through a naso-gastric tube probably couldn’t receive either Body or Blood. There are lots of other medical conditions that similarly would make it not feasible to receive either Body or Blood. It’s one of the crosses illness carries with it.

 

[LilyM]

Not sure why there could be much of a problem with receiving the Precious Blood. As I recall in handling altar wine, it generally was rather low in alcohol anyway. Then a small amount of water is added before the consecration. One would not be getting much alcohol in a small sip, usually less than a thimbleful.
The use of mustum which is 1% before the ceremonial dilution, would reduce the volume of alcohol consumed to microscopic proportion.

It’s not about the alcohol - rather the fact that the priest will always put a small piece of the Host into the chalice before it is distributed. That would be enough to make plenty of celiacs sick if they drank.

Or, as another poster said, the residue of gluten left in the Precious Blood from those before the child who received the Host and then the Chalice might also be enough if she is very sensitive. Some people with allergies literally cannot receive even the smallest amount of the allergen, and you’d be bound to get some gluten in any chalice.

 

[Joannm]

A Chalice could be prepared for the exclusive use of the girl or she could always be the first to receive the Precious Blood from a Chalice.

We have several people in the parish with celiac. They have a separate cup for them to receive the Precious Blood and they come up to receive at the side of the sanctuary to receive when the EMHC’s come up. They come to the sacristy before Mass so the priest knows they are there and all our priests and deacons know who they are.

 

[LilyM]

the situation is handled properly in many parishes, a small amount of wine is poured in a separate vessel and consecrated with the rest of the wine, and this vessel is presented to the individual. this relies on the family making the needs known to the pastor and the care of the sacristan and ministers making the proper preparation without undue fuss and fanfare. If the parent refuses to accept this option they are making a political statement and putting their agenda – rejection of Church authority – ahead of their child’s right to the sacrament. There is indeed an extremely low-gluten host available and approved. The medical judgement of the physician should be followed, and he should be apprised of its availabilty and content. Celiac sprue is not a simple allergy to gluten. It is an increasingly common disorder because previously children died of its complications shortly after starting on solid food because it was poorly understood and managed. It is up to the parents to apprise the pastor and come up with a solution. The solution exists, thousands of people with this disorder received the blessed sacrament regularly without problems.

Of course, dopey me didn’t think of that option :doh2:

 

[japhy]

This thread is from 2004/2005. The recent activity was a dud: just quoting one post and saying nothing more.

Perhaps this should be locked?