Low-Gluten Hosts

For more information or to begin receiving low-gluten hosts, please contact: Kathie Beuscher 262.781.3480. Download brochure

Background

In recent years, many have worked to foster an increasing awareness of the significant effects of Celiac Sprue disease on people’s lives. The digestive system of those with this condition is considerably compromised by the consumption of gluten, one of the major ingredients in wheat flour. It is estimated that as many as fifteen percent of all persons of northern European origin are affected by this disease to some degree. This is a particular challenge to Catholics, who believe that the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the reception of Holy Communion are the very source and summit of the Christian life. Priests should show great pastoral sensitivity and compassion to anyone afflicted with this disease, but especially to the parents of children with gluten intolerance at the time of their first Holy Communion.  The Secretariat for the Liturgy of the U.S. Bishops’ Conference has devoted considerable resources to this question for the last seven years. Within the past year, the Secretariat has successfully assisted the Congregation of Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri in the production of a very low-gluten host which has been favorably reviewed by the publication Low-gluten Living as a “safe” alternative for those who have Celiac Sprue disease.  

Here at St. Dominic Catholic Parish, we have been in contact with an increasing number of parishioners who are affected by Celiac Sprue disease and thus, have requested the reception of a low-gluten host at worship in the parish. In order to better serve the needs of the faithful in participating in the reception of both sacred species of the Eucharist, St. Dominic Catholic Parish has outlined the following procedures for implementing the use of low-gluten hosts in our worship.  

Procedures for Obtaining Low-Gluten Hosts

In order for the parish to keep proper records of the faithful at St. Dominic who will be receiving low-gluten hosts, the parish requests that interested individuals please contact Director of Child Ministry, Kathie Beuscher, for an initial meeting to document any details about their Celiac Sprue. In addition, this first meeting is crucial for explaining the St. Dominic Catholic Parish procedures for reception of low-gluten hosts to the inquiring party. A tutorial will also be scheduled after weekend Masses as needed.     

St. Dominic Catholic Parish will be responsible for purchasing the low-gluten hosts from the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and storing the low-gluten hosts at the parish center. The storage of these low-gluten hosts is particularly important to prevent spoilage and frequent contact with wheat-based elements.  

Persons wishing to obtain low-gluten hosts are instructed to come to the parish center and to seek out Administrative Assistant, Barb Schenauer for the request.  Barb will facilitate the transferring of the low-gluten hosts to a metal pyx with the assistance of the individual making the request, to ensure that the low-gluten host is handled properly. It is suggested that those receiving low-gluten hosts request a supply that will be sufficient for a period of time not to exceed two months as recommended by the Benedictine Sisters.

Proper Vessel for Low-Gluten Hosts

The proper vessel for transporting low-gluten hosts is a metal pyx. Pyxes come in a variety of styles and sizes in order to accommodate the person transferring either a consecrated host or an unconsecrated low-gluten host.  St. Dominic will purchase a supply of pyxes that will only be used for those individuals requesting low-gluten hosts. If an individual would like to purchase one of these pyxes from the parish with a $20 donation, please contact Pastoral Associate, Susan McNeil.  

Procedures for Low-Gluten Hosts at Worship

Any individual who would like to receive a consecrated low-gluten host at worship is instructed to bring a low-gluten host inside of their pyx to the Mass in which they will be attending. In order for the priest to locate an individual’s pyx during communion, St. Dominic Catholic Parish would request that all individuals please place their name on the top of their pyx using an appropriate label.  Before Mass begins, place the labeled pyx onto the designated tray located on the credence table in the sanctuary. The credence table is located in front of the organ chamber and behind the ambo used for the proclamation of the Word of God. This is the table where the chalices and patens for the Liturgy of the Eucharist are kept.

During the preparation of the gifts, one of the acolytes will bring the tray with the pyxes to the altar. These low-gluten hosts through the consecration of the sacred species by the priest will become the Body of Christ in the same manner as the wheat-based hosts. In order for distribution to the communicant to operate smoothly, the communicant is requested to receive Holy Communion from the priest’s communion line only, currently on the ambo or choir side of the center aisle.  

The person receiving the pyx with the low-gluten host will approach the priest and say their name.  The priest will move to the altar to obtain the communicant’s labeled pyx. The priest will hand the pyx to the communicant and say “the Body of Christ”.  The communicant will respond “Amen”; open the pyx in front of the priest and consume the low-gluten Body of Christ. The communicant may then proceed in line for the reception of the Blood of Christ and return to their pew in church.

Proper Care of a Pyx

Upon returning home from Mass, the individual using a pyx for a low-gluten host should properly purify their pyx and consume the water used for purification.  Remember, the Body of Christ is present in the tiny particles that may fall off the low-gluten host and rest at the bottom of the pyx.  As a result, these particles must be treated with the utmost care and concern for they are the sacred body of the Lord.  A simple method for purifying a pyx is to run a small amount of water into the empty pyx, swirl the water around in order for the pyx to be fully washed, and then pour the water into a drinking glass which is then consumed by the individual purifying the pyx. Additionally, following proper purification procedures listed above, the pyx should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water on the inside and out.