Ingredients:

Our breads are made of wheat starch (wheat flour from which most of the gluten protein has been removed) plus water.  The last gluten testing was done in April 2023 and the average content per wafer was 70ppm which equals 70 micrograms per .2 g of product. Each wafer weighs aproximately .2 g.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has approved them for use in all dioceses.

Practicalities For Using Low Gluten Hosts

Because persons with Celiac disease are highly sensitive to wheat, low gluten hosts must be stored, handled, and distributed completely separate from typical wheat hosts.

Have a conversation between priest, parishioner, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to determine particulars of distribution and reception of the Eucharist.

Storage

  • Freezer storage or room temperature in an airtight container away from wheat products (lasts at least 12 months freezer, 6 months room temperature).
    Maintain a pyx exclusively for the use of low gluten hosts.
  • A consecrated host may be reserved in a pyx in the tabernacle for later use when taken to someone who is ill.

Preparation

  • Before handling typical hosts, count out as many low gluten hosts as are needed at a single Eucharistic celebration.
  • Place hosts in designated pyx and close.
  • (If pyx belongs to parishioner, or if hosts are provided by parishioner, see that pyx/host is given to sacristan well in advance of Mass to ensure time for preparation.)

Consecration

  • Place pyx on corporal separate from ciborium or paten containing typical wheat hosts.

Fraction Rite

  • See that no wheat particles get into pyx during fraction rite.
  • Only break the presider host over the chalice for the priest and/or deacon, so that wheat particles do not get in all the chalices (preventing some from receiving the Precious Blood).

Distribution

  • Designate one point of distribution for a chalice which does not contain any particles of wheat.
  • Determine when the communicant will come for Communion. Options include:
    Communicant sits where they can be near the front of the Communion line to receive the Precious Blood before wheat particles from other communicants get into the chalice.
  • A specific Extraordinary Minister distributes separately to the individual during the regular Communion time.
  • Parishioner comes first or last to the priest or deacon who retrieves the pyx from the altar and gives the Body of Christ.
  • Priest, deacon, or Extraordinary Minister opens pyx for the communicant to take Communion. (If pyx belongs to parishioner, it may be taken after the reception of the Sacred Host. If crumbs remain in pyx, wipe with finger and consume.)

Ordering

  • Hosts may be ordered by the parish or the parishioner.
  • If ordered by parishioner, arrange with parish for billing/ shipping (who/where).

Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
31970 State Highway P / Clyde, MO 64432-8100
1-800-223-2772
altarbreads@benedictinesisters.org
www.benedictinesisters.org