IMAGE: CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic
By
WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Vatican recently published a
circular letter, “On the bread and wine for the Eucharist,” sent to
diocesan bishops at the request of Pope Francis. Dated June 15 — the feast of
the Body and Blood of Christ — the letter was made public by the Vatican July
8.
Because bread and wine for the Eucharist are no longer
supplied just by religious communities, but “are also sold in supermarkets
and other stores and even over the internet,” bishops should set up
guidelines, an oversight body and/or even a form of certification to help
“remove any doubt about the validity of the matter for the
Eucharist,” the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Sacraments said.
In response to the Vatican statement, the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops Secretariat of Divine Worship has answered some of these
frequently asked questions.
Q: Why is the Vatican worried about what makes up a
Communion host? Doesn’t it have more important things to focus on?
A: To say that the Eucharist is important to Catholics is an
understatement; the bishops at the Second Vatican Council referred to it as the
“source of and summit of the Christian life.” On the night before he
died, Jesus considered it important enough to spend time with his apostles at
the Last Supper, telling them to continue to celebrate the Eucharist,
instructing them to “do this in memory of me.” So the Vatican is
naturally interested in making sure that this instruction is carried out
properly, and this requires not only a priest who says the correct words, but
also the use of the correct material. Therefore, the Catholic Church has strict
requirements for the bread and wine used at Mass.
Q: Has the validity of the materials used for the Eucharist
been a problem in the United States?
A: The circular letter is addressed to the entire church, to
bishops all over the world. Circumstances are very different in various places
around the globe, so it’s difficult to know whether the Holy See’s letter is a
response to particular problems in certain places. It’s important to note that
the letter does not introduce any new teachings or regulations — it simply
reminds bishops of their important duty to ensure that the correct materials
are used in the celebration of the Mass. We’re fortunate in our country,
insofar as it’s not difficult to find bread and wine that are clearly suitable
for the Mass.
Q: Concerning low-gluten hosts, how much gluten is in them?
Are they safe for someone with celiac disease?
A: The gluten content in low-gluten hosts can vary by
producer, but they typically contain less than 0.32 percent gluten. Foods with
less than 20 parts per million gluten can be marketed as “gluten-free,”
and some low-gluten hosts — while containing enough gluten to satisfy the church’s
requirements for Mass — would even fall into that category. The amount of
gluten present in low-gluten hosts is considered safe for the vast majority of
people with gluten-related health difficulties.
Q: For someone who does not want any exposure to gluten, the
church says that Communion may be received under the species of wine alone.
What happens if a diocese does not offer Communion under both species?
A: Parishes are more than willing to make special
arrangements to assist people who need to receive the Precious Blood instead of
the host for medical reasons, even if the parish doesn’t normally offer
Communion under both kinds. It can take a little advanced planning to organize
the procedures, but pastors are happy to do this. If for some reason a person
in this situation runs into difficulties at the parish level, he or she should
contact the bishop’s office for assistance.
Q: What about someone, especially a priest, who has
alcoholism? Is grape juice allowed?
A: Grape juice is not allowed for the Catholic Mass, but the
use of “mustum” can be permitted. Mustum is a kind of wine that has
an extremely low alcohol content. It’s made by beginning the fermentation
process in grape juice, but then suspending the process such that the alcohol
content generally remains below 1 percent, far lower than the levels found in
most table wines.
Q: I understand other faiths have gluten-free substitutes.
With the church’s insistence on the presence of wheat in the Communion wafer,
has this caused any problems in ecumenical dialogue?
A: No, this has not been an issue in ecumenical dialogue.
Q: Who do I talk with if these issues are a concern of mine?
Must my pastor accommodate my needs?
A: Someone who suffers in this way should talk to his or her
pastor. Naturally, if someone arrives with this kind of request at the last
second before Mass is set to begin, the pastor might not be able to accommodate
his or her needs. But if someone reaches out in a reasonable manner, pastors
are happy to help. Again, if someone runs into difficulties in this regard, he
or she should contact the bishop’s office for assistance. One of the greatest duties
and privileges of bishops and priests is making the Eucharist available to the
Catholic faithful, and they do their best to make this possible.
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