Gluten-free wafers for church-goers
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (378656)
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.
12 people like this
11 responses
@DaddyEvil (172885)
• United States
3h
I haven't been inside a church in 40-something years so can't answer your question.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (76804)
• Philippines
3h
That's a very considerate church. That never came to my mind as well.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (378656)
• Rockingham, Australia
6m
It's good that they're able to offer the gluten-free version.
@snowy22315 (206624)
• United States
2h
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
@Orson_Kart (8110)
• United Kingdom
2h
I wonder if Jesus considered this when he fed the 5000 with the 5 loaves? Were they gluten-free?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (378656)
• Rockingham, Australia
2m
I imagine he probably didn't consider this or else he cured them all for that period. 
@LooeyVille (46)
• United States
1h
Yes our church has offered gluten-free wafers for many years now.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54684)
• United States
Just now
I haven’t heard of any church having them. Sorry for your sons loss.
@wolfgirl569 (133594)
• Marion, Ohio
Just now
Sorry to hear about his mother in-law. That is a great idea for communion
@Fleura (34640)
• United Kingdom
3h
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!
1 person likes this
