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Are there gluten free communion wafers?

Are there gluten free communion wafers?

Bread and wafers used in the sacrament “must be unleavened, purely of wheat, and recently made so that there is no danger of decomposition,” the letter reads. “Hosts that are completely gluten-free are invalid matter for the celebration of the Eucharist.”

What are gluten free communion wafers made of?

Gluten-free communion wafers, many brands of which are sold online, are made of a bunch of different ingredients–garbanzo beans, tapioca, potato starch and rice flour, among others–but not wheat.

Is the Holy Eucharist gluten-free?

Receiving Holy Communion is an important part of Christianity, as it is meant as a remembrance of Jesus Christ. However, the communion wafers used as the Holy Sacrament contain wheat, which can pose a problem for individuals who have a wheat allergy or Celiac disease.

How do celiacs take communion?

Meanwhile, Catholics who have celiac disease have to make the very personal decision whether they want to consume low-gluten hosts in order to receive communion. Those who can consume low-gluten hosts approach the altar first (ahead of all others) to receive both the Body (host) and the Blood (cup).

How much gluten is in a gluten-free host?

It contains just . 001 percent gluten, an amount low enough for most celiac sufferers, General Counselor Sister Ruth Starman told NPR. They sell about 15,000 breads per week, Starman said, some internationally.

What is the Eucharist wafer made of?

wheat flour
The communion wafers, which are generally made from wheat flour, oil and salt, do not contain a leavening agent, like yeast, that would cause the dough to rise.

Does the host at church have gluten?

The Vatican says communion wafers known as the host must contain gluten. Gluten has become verboten in some circles, but there is no way around it for Catholics receiving Holy Communion; a recent church directive emphatically states that the wafer known as the host must contain gluten.

How much gluten is in a communion host?

Accordingly, considering the total weight of each Communion wafer, the actual amount of gluten in one low-gluten host would add up to about 0.002 milligrams. This amount has been shown to be safe in various clinical studies.

Do gluten-free hosts need to be refrigerated?

These gluten-free wafers have a long shelf life. Refrigerate them in a sealed container for several weeks. For longer storage, keep them in the freezer.

What are gluten-free hosts made of?

According to Catholic doctrine, the host must be made of wheat and water only (Can. 924). Hosts made from alternative grains are not acceptable and bread must contain at least a trace of gluten. This is a requirement that is not likely to change.

Posted in Advice