Eucharist FAQ

Communion to Sick & Homebound

What carry host in? How able to do this? Can I wait at all before going to the communion call?

Rules and Regulations:
• When bringing communion to the sick and homebound the Eucharist is stored in a pyx which is a small container made from a precious metal. A Priest, Deacon, or an extraordinary minister when an ordained minister is absent or impeded, should go insofar as possible directly from the place where the Sacrament is reserved to the sick person’s home, leaving aside any profane business so that any danger of profanation may be avoided and the greatest reverence for the Body of Christ may be ensured (Redemptionis Sacramentum).
• The order of prayers and rites for bringing communion to the sick is found in “Communion of the Sick” or “Holy communion and worship of the Eucharist outside of Mass.”

Communion Services

What is a communion service?

A communion service is a liturgy which takes place when a priest in unable to celebrate Mass. It contains the Liturgy of the Word and the reception of Holy Communion. It may be presided over by either a Deacon or a person instituted as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. Extraordinary ministers may not under any circumstances give a homily or give blessings.

Low-Gluten Hosts

What are they and are they valid for Mass?

“Hosts that are completely gluten-free are invalid matter for the celebration of the Eucharist. Low-gluten hosts (partially gluten-free) are valid matter, provided they contain a sufficient amount of gluten to obtain the confection of bread without the addition of foreign materials and without the use of procedures that would deter the nature of bread”(Circular Letter to the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences regarding legitimate variations in the use of bread with a small quantity of gluten and the use of mustum as Eucharistic matter).

Low-Gluten Hosts

Is Intinction allowed?

Intinction is not allowed among the lay faithful. The communicant is never allowed to self communicate even by means of intinction (GIRM 50).

Substance of bread and wine

What can be used for the Body of Christ?

“The bread used in the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharistic Sacrifice must be unleavened, purely of wheat, and recently made so that there is no danger of decomposition. It follows therefore that bread from another substance, even if it is grain, or if it is mixed with another substance different from wheat to such an extent that it would not commonly be considered wheat bread, does not constitute valid matter for confecting the Sacrifice and the Eucharistic Sacrament. It is a grave abuse to introduce other substances, such as fruit or sugar or honey, into the bread for confecting the Eucharist. Hosts should obviously be made by those who are not only distinguished by their integrity, but also skilled in making them and furnished with suitable tools”( Redemptionis Sacramentum, On Certain Matters to Be Observed or to Be Avoided Regrading the Most Holy Eucharist 49).

What can be used for Precious Blood?

“The wine that is used in the most sacred celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice must be natural, from the fruit of the grape, pure and incorrupt, not mixed with other substances. Great care should be taken so that the wine intended for the celebration of the Eucharist is well conserved and has not soured. It is altogether forbidden to use wine of doubtful authenticity or provenance, for the Church requires certainty regarding the conditions necessary for the validity of the sacraments. Nor are other drinks of any kind to be admitted for any reason, as they do not constitute valid matter” (Redemptionis Sacramentum On Certain Matters to Be Observed or to Be Avoided Regrading the Most Holy Eucharist 50).