Gluten-free wafers for church-goers
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382412)
Rockingham, Australia
April 28, 2026 3:21am CST
Many of you would know that our younger son lives in Ireland. A few weeks ago, his 87-year-old mother-in-law fell and broke her hip. Unfortunately, she didn’t survive the operation and was buried on a few days ago. Through the wonders of technology, we were able to watch the Catholic funeral service on the church’s webcam.
When it came time for the priest and his helpers to give out communion, he announced that those who were gluten-intolerant or caeliac could receive gluten-free hosts (wafers) from one particular helper. It’s the first time I’ve thought about communion wafers containing gluten. What a good idea to ensure parishioners are not deprived of taking communion because of their allergy. If you're a church-goer, does your church supply gluten-free wafers?
The photo is mine of a favourite country church.
17 people like this
15 responses
@DaddyEvil (174658)
• United States
28 Apr
I haven't been inside a church in 40-something years so can't answer your question.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77261)
• Philippines
28 Apr
That's a very considerate church. That never came to my mind as well.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54730)
• United States
28 Apr
I haven’t heard of any church having them. Sorry for your sons loss.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54730)
• United States
29 Apr
@JudyEv It seems that Mississippi is the last place to get new things.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Apr
@Tampa_girl7 Maybe when there isn't a need for it, the subject never arises.
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr
@Ronrybs True. I always had to laugh when St Pat's Cabaret was held on a Friday night and the priest would give dispensation so that people could eat their sausage rolls before midnight! I was very respectful of Catholicism but really! Talk about making the rules to suit yourselves. lol
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222727)
• United States
29 Apr
That's very considerate of the church.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209116)
• United States
28 Apr
Nice but you have to wonder how much gluetin is really in those tiny little wafers, or how many people really need them..at least I do.
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (11881)
• Philippines
12 May
No, I think what we are eating here has no sugar.
But that's nice for them to think of that.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 May
Gluten can be very bad for those that have an intolerance to it.
@Orson_Kart (8301)
• United Kingdom
28 Apr
I wonder if Jesus considered this when he fed the 5000 with the 5 loaves? Were they gluten-free?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Apr
I imagine he probably didn't consider this or else he cured them all for that period. 
@FourWalls (86829)
• United States
28 Apr
What a sweet consideration for people! And I’m sorry his mother in law passed away. 
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135944)
• Marion, Ohio
28 Apr
Sorry to hear about his mother in-law. That is a great idea for communion
1 person likes this
@Fleura (35093)
• United Kingdom
28 Apr
Our lodger is coeliac and also Catholic and I think they do have gluten-free wafers but I will have to ask.
When I was growing up I was regularly taken to the Methodist chapel and we were just given little cubes of ordinary bread. But of course almost no-one had even heard of coeliac disease then!
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