Sarah – I am not sure you will see this – but I am taking a chance. We use the host from the Benedictine sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri. Their recipe has been approved by Rome so it is okay but as someone from the Celiac Foundation says she doesn’t know what the dear sisters did but their recipe is different from all the other “low gluten” hosts out there. I believe that as our parish used them then one sunday they used a different low gluten host – they didn’t say anything. They just did. My son and I both had a reaction. Not bad – I just broke out in a rash like I do when I get any cross contamination. But I talked to the priest and asked him if they changed hosts and he said “Yes, you are the second person who has approached me that had a reaction – we will go back to the Benedictine nun’s this weekend. ” Here is their web page – https://benedictinesisters.org/ you can go to the our products tab and then go to low gluten. Our family is so blessed to be able to go to communion again. Just sharing so others may be able to have the same option.

I’m glad that my post helped you not feel alone in your struggle. I’m sure with the many events at places of worship during the holidays, that it becomes even more problematic.

I’m so sorry that you have been denied Communion. I completely agree with you, that we seem to demand adherence to some parts of the Bible, but not others. I think about the awesome power of God, that s/he was able to speak the world into being; that Jesus was able to rise from the dead. Surely Jesus is powerful enough to transubstantiate into any grain we have on this planet. Surely Jesus’ power and might isn’t limited to wheat proteins.

I myself and not Catholic, and in Protestant churches the “wheat” requirement doesn’t exist. I make gluten free bread for communion, which we have the first Sunday of each month, and we all share in it. No one is left out, and all are welcome at the table. Because none of us should be made to feel like outsiders, unworthy of God’s presence and sacrifice.

I used to think of my Celiac Disease like leprosy. Both a physical illness that has little or nothing to do with our behavior or self worth. And how Jesus was willing to reach those the “world” deemed unholy. We should not be kept from Communion simply because of our Celiac Disease. God loves us, and will show His power through us, regardless of our autoimmune disease.

“His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:2-3

I’m so glad that your church is becoming more aware, with your education and intervention. Accommodating dietary restrictions really is a something don’t often think about, unless they have to live through it.

In our church (Catholic), ONE Eucharistic minister is in charge of the low gluten hosts and their distribution and cross contamination is taken very seriously. They are trained. To further prevent contamination they don’t actually physically handle them with their bare hands. They tilt them into a small glass saucer – one for each host required and they line the little saucers up on a plate that an altar server holds next to them. When you come up for communion, they tilt the little sauce or into your hand, rather than placing it on your tongue.

I did not know that this is it was available and suggested it, only to find out that it was but you had to request it before mass. I advocated to get an announcement placed in the church bulletin when people were coming up for a low gluten host without letting someone know ahead of time, and someone who asked for one didn’t get one.

Now there are more people requesting them because they know that it’s available.

Dear Emma, I so glad my post was helpful to you. I defintely understand how you feel. We recently started going to a new-to-us church, and felt some of the same feelings. Please know that you’re not alone. <3