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JennGM
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Although I was hopeful my son would outgrow his wheat allergy before his FHC, he hasn't. This is different from celiac or wheat intolerance, so he has to avoid all wheat, which means he can't have the host at all, even the low gluten version, because it is still wheat.
Any of you deal with this at home? He'll have to ask for a special chalice that has no contamination.
It's been important for me to pull up the teachings of the Church regarding the matter to use for the Eucharist, as I have had to "educate" others.
3 Articles Regarding Celiac and Low-Gluten Hosts:
(not an option for us)
When Wheat Won't Work
Benedictine Sister Low Gluten
USCCB regarding Celiac
From the Church regarding Matter for Holy Eucharist:
Redemptionis Sacramentum: On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided
regarding the Most Holy Eucharist
Quote:
Chapter III
THE PROPER CELEBRATION OF MASS
1. The Matter of the Most Holy Eucharist
[48.] The bread used in the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharistic Sacrifice must be unleavened, purely of wheat, and recently made so that there is no danger of decomposition.[123] It follows therefore that bread made from another substance, even if it is grain, or if it is mixed with another substance different from wheat to such an extent that it would not commonly be considered wheat bread, does not constitute valid matter for confecting the Sacrifice and the Eucharistic Sacrament.[124] It is a grave abuse to introduce other substances, such as fruit or sugar or honey, into the bread for confecting the Eucharist. Hosts should obviously be made by those who are not only distinguished by their integrity, but also skilled in making them and furnished with suitable tools.[125]
[49.] By reason of the sign, it is appropriate that at least some parts of the Eucharistic Bread coming from the fraction should be distributed to at least some of the faithful in Communion. “Small hosts are, however, in no way ruled out when the number of those receiving Holy Communion or other pastoral needs require it”,[126] and indeed small hosts requiring no further fraction ought customarily to be used for the most part.
[50.] The wine that is used in the most sacred celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice must be natural, from the fruit of the grape, pure and incorrupt, not mixed with other substances.[127] During the celebration itself, a small quantity of water is to be mixed with it. Great care should be taken so that the wine intended for the celebration of the Eucharist is well conserved and has not soured.[128] It is altogether forbidden to use wine of doubtful authenticity or provenance, for the Church requires certainty regarding the conditions necessary for the validity of the sacraments. Nor are other drinks of any kind to be admitted for any reason, as they do not constitute valid matter. |
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Also from Code of Canon Law
Quote:
Can. 924 §1 The most holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist must be celebrated in bread, and in wine to which a small quantity of water is to be added.
§2 The bread must be wheaten only, and recently made, so that there is no danger of corruption.
§3 The wine must be natural, made from grapes of the vine, and not corrupt.
Can. 925 Holy communion is to be given under the species of bread alone or, in accordance with the liturgical laws, under both species or, in case of necessity, even under the species of wine alone.
Can. 926 In the eucharistic celebration, in accordance with the ancient tradition of the latin Church, the priest is to use unleavened bread wherever he celebrates Mass. |
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Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis, n. 320 also refers to this, but I couldn't get the text readily.
If you deal with at your house, I'd love to hear how you adjusted to it, any tips, etc.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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pmeilaen
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My son is allergic to wheat (positive scratch test), but he does okay with the low gluten version. How was your son diagnosed with wheat allergy?
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Eva
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JennGM
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pmeilaen wrote:
| My son is allergic to wheat (positive scratch test), but he does okay with the low gluten version. How was your son diagnosed with wheat allergy? |
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It was by observation first, with hives and such. The diagnosis came through the blood (RAST) and skin tests confirming a high allergy.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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pmeilaen
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My son "only" has intestinal problems, we've never had a blood test done. I have several food allergies myself, only confirmed by skin test. The allergist I went to said that he didn't "believe" in blood tests and refused to do one. He also said that 60% of the test results for food allergies are wrong. I'm curious, have you repeated the allergy tests at one point? My son was diagnosed many years ago, but we never repeated the tests. We'v also introduced some of the foods he tested positive for. Sometimes I wonder if we should retest him, do also a blood test, or just rely on observation. I think that the whole allergy question is very complicated and frustrating. One more question: Have you ever tried wheat again? What if he only took a tiny piece of the host?
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Eva
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JennGM
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Eva, we have repeated the tests many times (annually) and have seen several doctors, hoping that we see an improvement. Generally children do grow out of food allergies. The main ones that aren't always outgrown are peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.
Our reactions are anaphylactic in nature. We rely on all three, observation, skin and blood tests. Even being very careful, we see reactions from small accidental ingestion, or being around flour or wheat products. Our doctor doesn't test blindly, but listens to the parents' observations and proceeds from there.
So many allergy clinics are for allergies from the environment, like rhinitis and asthma. Food allergies aren't always their forte. The physician Dr. Robert Wood from Johns Hopkins is the one that has published studies and findings regarding food allergies...and most allergists if they are knowledgeable in food allergies will probably be following him. That is a rule of thumb for me.
This forum was of great help to me when we first got the diagnosis 6 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long).
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Angi
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We do not have a wheat allergy, but I do understand the frustration. My children have multiple food allergies and must adapt to the changes each brings.
Just a few things that you probably already considered -
1 - the chalice should be a new one, only used for your son, due to the way they are cleaned and only the priest should access it
2 - same goes for the purificator
3 - I have s small comfort zone - I would personally become a Eucharistic Minister in order to keep his chalice pristine.
4 - when away from home, he will need to abstain and receive a spiritual communion.
I will pray for your son and for peace for you with whatever you decide is best for your family.
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Teachin'Mine2
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Jennifer have you talked with your pastor? There may be circumstances where exceptions can be made. You can ask him if a host could be made from rice bread or something similar. I would think you could even make these at home - if it was allowable.
Could he receive the wine instead?
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JennGM
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Teachin'Mine2 wrote:
Jennifer have you talked with your pastor? There may be circumstances where exceptions can be made. You can ask him if a host could be made from rice bread or something similar. I would think you could even make these at home - if it was allowable.
Could he receive the wine instead? |
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Yes, he'll have to receive the Precious Blood.
In the Catholic Church no substitutions are allowed; it has to be wheat.
I was just hoping that those who go through could offer some advice on handling it. I think the main part is dealing with the "being different".
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Jennifer G. Miller
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MicheleQ
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No advice but certainly sympathy. 
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Teachin'Mine2
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In our parish, those receiving FHC receive both species. If your parish does the same, it probably wouldn't even be noticed that he's not receiving the host. I am Catholic and I know it's Jesus' precious Body, Blood Soul and Divinity under either species, I just said wine to for simplicity. 
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JennGM
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Teachin'Mine2 wrote:
| In our parish, those receiving FHC receive both species. If your parish does the same, it probably wouldn't even be noticed that he's not receiving the host. I am Catholic and I know it's Jesus' precious Body, Blood Soul and Divinity under either species, I just said wine to for simplicity. |
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I wasn't trying to correct you, so I hope I didn't offend!
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Cay Gibson
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Having recently taken on the role of D.R.E. in my church parish I am reading this thread w/ great interest.
I know last year (since my Annie was receiving) there were two children who suffered a gag reflex after receiving the host.
I want to be prepared for all cases.
What do you think can be done, Jenn, that would help your little boy feel less "different"? Or how do you hope your church parish helps your son to handle it?
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Cay Gibson
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Teachin'Mine2
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No not at all! I just didn't wanted to clarify - I said wine because it's a matter of allergies that's of concern. The same as it's not the Body of Jesus that's a problem, but the bread itself. If that makes sense. 
I've since read in Catholic Answers and elsewhere the reason that the host must be of wheat only in order for the transubstantiation to occur.
I hope that your pastor is able to make good arrangements for your son.
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pmeilaen
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JennGM wrote:
Eva, we have repeated the tests many times (annually) and have seen several doctors, hoping that we see an improvement. Generally children do grow out of food allergies. The main ones that aren't always outgrown are peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.
Our reactions are anaphylactic in nature. We rely on all three, observation, skin and blood tests. Even being very careful, we see reactions from small accidental ingestion, or being around flour or wheat products. Our doctor doesn't test blindly, but listens to the parents' observations and proceeds from there.
So many allergy clinics are for allergies from the environment, like rhinitis and asthma. Food allergies aren't always their forte. The physician Dr. Robert Wood from Johns Hopkins is the one that has published studies and findings regarding food allergies...and most allergists if they are knowledgeable in food allergies will probably be following him. That is a rule of thumb for me.
This forum was of great help to me when we first got the diagnosis 6 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long).
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Thank you Jennifer. I'm sorry that your son reacts so badly to wheat. Since he knows he's really allergic to it and feels bad when he even comes near it, he might not mind so much that he cannot receive the host. Has he expressed any concern or other feelings?
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Oh, gosh what a tough situation to be in! Poor little guy!
Perhaps you can reassure him that he is receiving only the blood just for a while, just until he outgrows his allergy (hopefully!) and then he can have the body as well. That will give him another special day to look forward to.
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Well, I don't know how much help I can be, but I will share my experience. I am Byzantine Catholic and our children receive from the day of their Baptism and Chrismation. My 3yo has at least a dozen food allergies including wheat. Our priest prepares a separate chalice especially for her and even uses a new spoon for her so that there is no contamination. Since we receive under both species from the same chalice on a spoon her reception is no different than anyone else's except that Father has to go back to the altar to get her chalice and then return it back after she has received. Most people in our parish know the situation, but people have asked me about it.
She has to fast when we are away from our home parish, but so does her sister who is only 5 and would look odd receiving in an RC church (so we ask her to fast until she is a little older).
As for feeling different, this isn't something we deal with too much as dd is only 3. I have worked hard to make her feel normal. And it has always been looked at in our house and by her as being special, not different. She gets special food that mommy makes especially for her. And her reception of Jesus is no different looking than ours and she knows she is receiving Jesus just like the rest of us.
I will pray that this all goes smoothly for you. I know how very hard it is to deal with food allergies in our children
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Communion and Wheat Allergy
