Traveling Catholic: Finding Celiac-Friendly Parishes

At home, you’ve got a system. Your parish knows you, the sacristan has your pyx ready, everything runs smoothly. But what happens when you’re traveling?

Whether you’re on vacation, traveling for work, or making a pilgrimage, you can still receive Communion. Here’s how to navigate unfamiliar parishes while managing celiac disease.

Option 1: Receive from the Chalice

This is the simplest approach for travel. Most parishes offer Communion under both kinds, and you can receive from the chalice without any prior arrangement.

Advantages:

• No advance planning needed
• Works at any parish that offers the cup
• No hosts to transport

Considerations:

• Not all Masses offer the chalice (weekday Masses often don’t)
• Some sensitivity levels make even the chalice uncomfortable
• International parishes vary in whether they offer the cup to laity

If this option works for you, travel becomes simple: find a Mass, receive from the chalice.

Option 2: Bring Your Own Low-Gluten Hosts

You can bring low-gluten hosts with you and request that they be consecrated at Mass.

How to do it:

1. Pack individually sealed low-gluten hosts in your luggage (they’re not fragile)
2. Arrive at Mass 10-15 minutes early
3. Find the sacristan or priest before Mass
4. Explain briefly: “I have celiac disease and brought a low-gluten host. Can this be placed on the altar for consecration?”
5. After Mass, retrieve any unconsumed hosts

Tips:

• Keep hosts in original sealed packaging until use
• Bring a few extra in case of unexpected needs
• Pack in carry-on if flying (checked luggage temperature extremes are fine, but access matters)

Potential Challenges:

• Language barriers in foreign countries (see phrase list below)
• Unfamiliar staff may be confused, patience helps
• Some priests may be unfamiliar with the practice (it’s always permitted, but not universally known)

Option 3: Contact the Parish in Advance

For longer stays or important occasions (a wedding, pilgrimage destination, etc.), contact the parish ahead of time.

What to ask:

• “Do you offer Communion under both kinds at [Mass time]?”
• “Do you have low-gluten hosts available?”
• “Can I bring my own low-gluten host to be consecrated?”
• “What’s the best process at your parish?”

Most parishes are happy to accommodate if they know in advance.

Finding Contact Information:

• Google the parish name and location
• Check the diocesan website’s parish finder
• Look for the parish’s own website (often has staff email/phone)

Traveling Internationally

In English-Speaking Countries

The process is similar to home. Phrases like “I have celiac disease and need a low-gluten host” or “I can only receive from the chalice” are understood.

In Non-English-Speaking Countries

Here are key phrases in several languages:

Spanish:

• “Tengo enfermedad celíaca” (I have celiac disease)
• “Necesito una hostia de bajo gluten” (I need a low-gluten host)
• “Puedo recibir solo del cáliz” (I can receive from the chalice only)

French:

• “J’ai la maladie cœliaque” (I have celiac disease)
• “J’ai besoin d’une hostie sans gluten” (I need a gluten-free host)
• “Je recevrai seulement le Sang du Christ” (I will receive only the Blood of Christ)

Italian:

• “Ho la celiachia” (I have celiac disease)
• “Ho bisogno di un’ostia a basso contenuto di glutine” (I need a low-gluten host)
• “Posso ricevere solo dal calice” (I can receive from the chalice only)

German:

• “Ich habe Zöliakie” (I have celiac disease)
• “Ich brauche eine glutenarme Hostie” (I need a low-gluten host)
• “Ich kann nur aus dem Kelch empfangen” (I can receive from the chalice only)

Portuguese:

• “Tenho doença celíaca” (I have celiac disease)
• “Preciso de uma hóstia com baixo teor de glúten” (I need a low-gluten host)
• “Só posso receber do cálice” (I can only receive from the chalice)

Consider printing these phrases on a card to show if verbal communication is difficult.

Country-Specific Notes

Italy: Low-gluten hosts (ostie per celiaci) are widely available. Italian celiac awareness is high. Many parishes stock them.

Mexico/Latin America: Awareness varies. The cup is often offered. Bringing your own hosts is usually your best bet.

France: The cup is often not offered to laity. Low-gluten hosts may be available at larger parishes; call ahead.

Philippines: Cup is commonly offered. Low-gluten hosts are less common; bring your own.

Ireland: Good awareness of celiac disease. Many parishes accommodate.

Pilgrimages and Large Gatherings

At major pilgrimage sites (Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, etc.) and large Catholic events:

• Large gatherings often don’t offer the cup (logistics make it impractical)
• Bring your own hosts and present them early
• Ask locally for celiac-specific Masses or accommodations
• Papal Masses and large outdoor liturgies are challenging, plan for spiritual communion as a fallback

At St. Peter’s Basilica and major Roman churches, you can often arrange for accommodations if you ask in the sacristy before Mass. Italian sacristans are generally familiar with celiac accommodations.

The Spiritual Communion Backup

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, reception isn’t possible:

• No chalice offered
• Couldn’t arrange hosts in time
• Language barrier was insurmountable

In these cases, make a spiritual communion. This is a real, recognized practice, not a “lesser” option when circumstances prevent sacramental reception. Saints have made spiritual communions throughout history.

A simple prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things and desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot receive You sacramentally today, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”

Practical Travel Tips

Packing

• Low-gluten hosts in carry-on (accessible for unexpected Masses)
• Extra hosts (plans change)
• A card with key phrases in local language
• Contact info for parishes at your destination

At the Airport/Transit

• TSA and security won’t question sealed communion wafers
• They’re not a restricted item
• If asked, “religious wafers” is sufficient explanation

Jet Lag and Mass Times

• Lookup local Mass times before you go
• Adjust for the fact that you might be exhausted
• A Sunday obligation can be fulfilled Saturday evening

Hotels and Host Storage

• Room temperature is fine for sealed hosts
• Don’t leave in hot cars
• Keep them dry

The Bottom Line

Don’t let celiac disease keep you from Mass while traveling. With minimal preparation, bring your hosts, know a few phrases, or plan to receive from the chalice, you can receive Communion almost anywhere in the world.

The Church is universal. You belong wherever you find a Mass.