Hypothetical

[Loki]

Let's say you have a Catholic who can't imbibe ethanol and has a gluten allergy. What do they do?

[Skripper]

http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFMUSTM.HTM

[fragmentsofdreams]

Some have tried rice hosts, but the CDF has said this is invalid.

[Loki]

So Jesus can't transubstantate into non-wheat bread?

[Fantine]

The host is so small that it is doubtful it would cause any allergic reaction. My husband's stepmother has celiac disease and takes medication to counter its side effects (and yes, she cheats sometimes--it's hard to avoid wheat completely in this world.)

The wine is optional.

[Loki]

The wine is also fully body and blood of Christ. I recall a news story some time ago about a young girl who wasn't able to ingest the host because of a gluten allergy, and the Bishop insisted that no concessions be made, that she only communicate via wine.

[fragmentsofdreams]

So Jesus can't transubstantate into non-wheat bread?

I don't agree with the decision for a variety of reasons. First, the decision is based on the premise that Jesus used wheat bread at the Last Supper, which is historically unclear since other grains could have been used. Second, I see no reason why we need to use the grain used by Jesus both because Jesus had other options and because the symbol of daily bread is more important than the specific type of bread. Finally, a sacrament should not be able to be wiped out. If wheat is the only valid material for the Eucharist, a blight that kills off all the wheat in the world would mean that we would have no Eucharist.

[Loki]

I don't agree with the decision for a variety of reasons. First, the decision is based on the premise that Jesus used wheat bread at the Last Supper, which is historically unclear since other grains could have been used. Second, I see no reason why we need to use the grain used by Jesus both because Jesus had other options and because the symbol of daily bread is more important than the specific type of bread. Finally, a sacrament should not be able to be wiped out. If wheat is the only valid material for the Eucharist, a blight that kills off all the wheat in the world would mean that we would have no Eucharist.

Y'know, I'd never thought of a wheat blight wiping out the Eucharist. That's a curious hypothetical.

[fragmentsofdreams]

Y'know, I'd never thought of a wheat blight wiping out the Eucharist. That's a curious hypothetical.

I dabble in desert island/post-apocalyptic sacramental theology. It is where questions of validity get tested.