www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Eucharist for a diabetic celiac

I have been reading (and enjoying) the byz. forum for a while.

This is my first post, I hope it works (and I hope "Parish Life" is the right place for it).

CAN YOU HELP ME? A parishioner of my Ukr. Catholic parish is both a diabetic and a celiac (He can not eat anything made of wheat flower). He had been avoiding recieving the consecrated wine because of the alchohol (I personally don't know if the small amount would affect anyone, but who am I to judge), and now that he found out that he shouldn't have bread, he is scared of approaching the Eucharist at all (for health reasons).

How has this type of problem been delt with by others? Is "Mustim" (or whatever that near-non-alchoholic wine/juice is called) the only answer? Is there some way of getting It to him without making him a "special" person (i.e. a seperate chalice) infront of everyone? (As far as I understand low-gluton bread is allowed by the Church, but No-gluton bread is not.)

Now to make this more complex. He is contemplating the priesthood. Can he celebrate liturgy without ever consuming the consecrated bread?

What guidance can you give me? What do the Orthodox, or RC Churches do?

Yours in Christ,
Kadylo

Dear Kadylo,

Your friend is unable to receive either the Body of our Lord or the precious Blood? I have never heard of that particular situation.

To address your question about the possibility of a vocation for someone with these conditions, I can relate that at the seminary we Benedictine monks operate, we have a seminarian enrolled who is allergic to wheat flour. He participates in Holy Communion by reception of a low-gluton host pioneered by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration just down the road [perhaps some of you have seen a story about their breakthrough in formulating altar bread that those suffering celiac disease can tolerate]. Every Mass there is a pyx placed on the altar with the special host inside. One of the priests who distributes Holy Communion hands it discretely to him as others are receiving, much in the manner that someone who takes Eucharist to the sick would obtain the consecrated host. This student does refrain from receiving from the chalice due to chance of cross-contamination.

So a vocation is possible for some depending on the severity of the allergic reaction.

Peace,

Benedictine

As a diabetic myself, the small amount of alcohol one would receive from what can't be more than a teaspoon of the Holy Blood shouldn't concern him. Of course he should consult with his doctor, but I can't imagine him saying that a teaspoon of wine once a week would be harmful. And even if he did he could ask for the bishop to allow his priest to consecrate mustum (pure grape juice) for him.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Deacon Stan is also diabetic and often consumes at the end. It does not affect him at all.

It is not longer bread and wine, but the body and blood - though the appearance is still the same. Asking God to heal our bodies through the reception of the Eucharist because we become his tabernacle, he will not harm us.

Pani Rose

Dear Friends,

As a diabetic myself I can say that the small amount of Consecrated Wine that is consumed in Communion cannot possibly do one harm.

Let's remember that ANY food a diabetic consumes will raise his sugar level, although it shouldn't go beyond a certain point.

Alex

Assuming he is willing to do so, I could use a 2nd chalice. (Apparently many doctors think that even a crumb could harm a ciliak.) What do you think is the most pastoral way to distribute It for him? Stop to switch the chalice when he approaches? Ask him to recieve after the final blessing? Either way he is being singled out a little. We have talked and entertained both ideas, and they could both work, but do any of you have another better idea?

I have seen in one parish they have a dedicated "Eucharistic Distributer" (this could be a whole new topic) just for thier few ciliaks. This is a large parish, and there are several lines, so those who need it can go at the same time as everyone else without causing any disruption. However, my parish is small, and it even if I did ask my deacon to distribute it to him...? ...uhmmm... ...Is this a viable answer?

I would also like to give him an answer to his other question. Can one be a priest and not consume the presious body of our Lord? (He is technically RC, although half his blood (and 3/4 of his spirit) is Eastern.) He is interested in understanding both East's and West's take on this one.

Thanks again
Kadylo
(a rookie priest who appreciated your help)

P.S. If a person did need to get Mustim, where could they find it?

If we TRULY BELIEVE that the bread and wine are changed into the BODY and BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST, then what is there to fear?

"Can one be a priest and not consume the presious body of our Lord?"

I believe the answer is no. I think Rome issued a clarification on this saying celiacs cannot be ordained to the priesthood. I do not think the diaconate is a problem.

Mustum can be gotten from the same wineries that make altar wine or any brand of 100% pure ,no additive/preservative grape juice like Kedem also qualifies.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Pavloosh:
Using latin terms the "accidents" and "essence", I believe that we would all say that Eucharist keeps the "accidents" of bread an wine, while the "essence" is of Christ. In other words, Eucharist still tastes, looks and interacts with the material (not spiritual) world as bread and wine. There may be some miraculous exceptions such as those who see a muscular tissue, or something like that, but those cases are not the norm. Most of us (if not all) experience that Eucharist tastes and looks like bread and wine (even though It is not in essence).

Annother "proof" of Eucharist retaining its accidents is the "Holy Buzz" that some of us experience after consuming what is left in the challice (especially since we have been fasting since the evening before). When ever my deacon is away, I need to ask my wife to drive me home after liturgy. I do not overfill the challice, but alchohol seems to hit me harder than others. Is this Jesus who makes me woozy? No. It is the "accidents" of the wine.

Similarly, the accidents of the gluton in wheat flower do indeed affect ciliaks. Not all in the same way, but there is an effect.

I do not believe that the essence of Eucharist would be harmfull to any well prepared faithful, but I can acknowledge that the accidents of the bread and wine can.

God plays by His own rules.

When the Son took on flesh at the incarnation, He did not change the rules of creation, rather He entered into them. Pain, sadness, even death were things that Christ did deal with.

Saying that someone just needs TRUE FAITH is slightly insulting. A ciliak does not fear the Eucharist, rather they fear the results of digesting the "accidental" qualities of the bread. Just the fact that they are asking these questions shows us that they are serious about the Sacrament (otherwise they would just abstain).


Fr. Deacon Lance:
Yeah, that's what I heard too. Did Rome give a reason why? It seems like recieving only one of the two is "good enough" for the layity.

How about in the Orthodox Church? Has this ever been officially asked?


Thanks again,
Kadylo

There it's happened again. One asks a question in all sincerity and is told it is insulting.
Forget it!

I did not mean to offend nor frustrate you.
Please forgive me.

Kadylo

Thank you Kadylo,for your sensitivity to other people's feelings.

I asked the question simply because it amazes me to hear people say they could never receive Communion from a spoon ot drink from the cup because of germs, bacteria, infection, AIDS, etc. That is blasphemous - after all, there is nothing purer than the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Can any Catholic or Orthodox person really believe that the Eucharist carries germs?

Now really!

I do not believe the Holy Gifts can carry disease. Unfortunately the vessels they are contained in can. Human hands can as well.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Interesting question.

As a pastor I would love to hear what others think, so that I can come up with a good, educated responce when I am asked.

I personally do not fear disease, germs,... etc. from the Chalice, however I know MANY people who do. If there was a breakout of some MEGA VIRUS (such as SARS, or the ASIAN BIRD FLU, which many believe is bound to happen) I am sure this would be a hot topic.

One priest I know (who will remain anonimous) has even experimented with having a number of spoons 'up his sleeve', so that if a person touched one with his/her mouth, then he would simply switch the spoon for a clean one.

I do not think this is blasphemous. A bit hyper-cautious perhaps. But this whole topic is worthy of reflection and thought.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR OTHER PEOPLE'S COMMENTS.

Kadylo


(And I am still interested in my other question about "WHY do priests need to be able to participate in both the Holy Body & Blood, when it seems 'good enough' for layity to only recieve one of the two? Is there a reason, besides being idealistic, and if not, then is it fair to people like ciliaks?)

Because Christ said this is my Body and this is my Blood, and without it you shall not have life. He didn't say take a pick, you choose what you want. If a priest is an alter Christos, then he really can't choose can he.