Celiac Disease & The Eucharist
The Holy See has made special provisions for those suffering from celiac disease.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has established "Norms for the
Use of Low-Gluten Altar Breads" with the proviso that the breads must contain at
least trace amounts of gluten (so as to conform to the requirements of Canon
Law) and may not contain any non-wheat products.
The “Norms” also make a distinction between gluten-free and low-gluten breads.
According to the “Norms” established by the Holy See, “hosts (that are) quibus
glutinum ablatum est (gluten-free) are invalid matter (and may not be used) for
the celebration of the Eucharist”.
“Low-gluten hosts are valid matter, provided that they contain the amount of gluten sufficient to obtain the
confection of bread, that there is no addition of foreign materials and that the procedure for making such hosts
is not such as to alter the nature of the substance of the bread.”
Our low-gluten breads conform to these requirements and have ecclesiastical approval of bishops in
Germany, Italy and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Additional documents of interest are available from the menu to the left.
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More Information
Low Gluten Summary
Less Than 20 PPM Gluten
Ecclesiastical Approval of
bishops in Germany, Italy and
the US
Made from wheat starch
starch & water only
12 + months shelf life
Less expensive than other
alternatives
Traditional look, round and
plain white