Confirmation and Celiac: What Everyone Should Know

Confirmation doesn’t involve Communion, but it often happens during a Mass where Communion is offered. If you’re preparing a teen with celiac disease, or you’re that teen, here’s what to think about.

The Sacrament Itself

Good news first: the Confirmation rite itself involves chrism oil and the laying on of hands. No gluten anywhere. Your celiac teen can be confirmed exactly like everyone else, with no accommodations needed for the sacrament itself.

The complication comes if Communion is offered during the Confirmation Mass.

Mass During Confirmation

Most Confirmation Masses include Communion. This means:

• Your teen will need their usual accommodation (low-gluten host, cup only, etc.)
• The logistics may be more complex because of the crowd and formality
• The bishop or confirming priest may not know your teen’s needs

Before the Celebration

Contact the parish well in advance, ideally when registering for Confirmation preparation. Say something like:

“My teen has celiac disease and needs accommodation for Communion. Who should we coordinate with to make sure this is handled during the Confirmation Mass?”

The religious education director or pastor will connect you with whoever handles logistics. At many parishes, the Confirmation Mass is coordinated more carefully than regular Sunday Mass, which can actually make accommodations easier to manage.

The Day Of

Arrive early. Find the person you’ve coordinated with. Confirm the plan. Make sure your teen knows exactly what they’re doing at Communion time.

Teens often feel awkward standing out at this age. If possible, make the accommodation discreet, your teen going to a specific minister or spot that’s been arranged in advance.

For Sponsors

If you’re sponsoring a confirmand with celiac disease:

• Know their plan for Communion
• Don’t make a big deal about it
• If they seem anxious, quiet reassurance helps
• Offer to go up with them if the logistics allow

Your job is to support their faith journey. This includes supporting them in navigating their body’s limitations with grace.

For Catechists

If you’re teaching Confirmation prep and have a student with celiac disease:

• Make sure the parish coordinator knows well in advance
• Don’t single them out in class discussions unless they want to share
• If you discuss Eucharistic theology, note that receiving under one species is complete
• Check in privately to see if they have concerns

Teens with celiac disease often feel different enough already. Confirmation prep shouldn’t add to that burden.

For the Teen Themselves

If you’re reading this yourself:

Your celiac disease doesn’t make you less ready for Confirmation. The Holy Spirit doesn’t check whether your body processes wheat normally. The gifts you’re about to receive, wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord, are yours fully.

At Communion during your Confirmation Mass, do what you need to do. Receive however you receive. If it feels awkward, it’s one awkward moment in a lifetime of receiving.

This day is about being sealed with the Spirit. The logistics are just logistics.

A Small Annoyance Worth Naming

Here’s something no one says: it’s annoying to have to think about this during Confirmation.

This is supposed to be a pure spiritual moment, your teen stepping into adult faith, and instead you’re emailing the parish about hosts and worrying about logistics.

That frustration is valid. It’s okay to feel it.

But don’t let it steal the day. Prepare well, then put it down. The Spirit isn’t deterred by gluten concerns.

After Confirmation

Confirmation is a beginning, not an end. Your teen’s relationship with Communion continues, hopefully for decades.

Use this as an opportunity to solidify good habits:

• Knowing their accommodation options
• Communicating confidently with parishes
• Receiving without excessive anxiety

The skills they develop now will serve them at every Mass for the rest of their life.

A Prayer for Confirmands with Celiac Disease

Holy Spirit, come upon this young person today. Fill them with Your gifts. Seal them as Your own.

You know their body, its strengths and its struggles. You made them as they are. Meet them in this moment, as they are.

Let this day be about You, not about logistics, not about accommodation, not about being different. Let them know they are beloved. Let them feel Your presence, however they receive.

Confirm them in faith, hope, and love.

Amen.