Mustum and wine only

Receiving the Precious Blood alone is complete

If you cannot receive a host, you can receive under the species of wine alone, and you receive the whole Christ, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. This is the doctrine of concomitance. The Council of Trent taught that those who receive one species alone "are not defrauded of any grace necessary to salvation," and the US bishops' norms restate it: "under each species alone, the whole Christ is sacramentally present." You are not receiving less.

Why a separate chalice can matter

There is one gluten trap in receiving from the cup. During the fraction rite, the priest breaks the large host and drops a particle of it into the chalice (this is called commingling). That introduces a trace of wheat into that cup.

Most people with celiac disease receive from the ordinary chalice without trouble, because the amount is minute. But if you are highly sensitive, ask your parish to prepare a separate chalice for you: one that does not undergo commingling, and near which no host is broken. Many priests will simply break the presider's host only over their own chalice so wheat particles don't reach the others.

What mustum is

Mustum is grape juice whose fermentation has begun but been suspended, without additives that would alter its nature (freezing is the classic method). Because it is true grape must that has started to ferment, it is valid matter for the Eucharist. It contains only minimal alcohol, so the Church permits it for priests and laypeople who cannot consume alcohol for medical reasons, including those in recovery from alcoholism.

Ordinary store-bought grape juice does not qualify: it has been prevented from fermenting. See the full article on understanding mustum.

Getting permission

Permission to use mustum rests with your diocesan bishop, and in the United States that authority is often delegated to pastors. Low-gluten hosts and mustum are treated the same way: both need the bishop's permission, which can be granted habitually, for as long as the need continues. In practice this usually means a conversation with your pastor, sometimes with a supporting note from a doctor or counselor.

Where to get mustum

Two distributors of mustum are known to the USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship:

• Mont La Salle Altar Wines
• Monks Wine and Candles

Some dioceses also keep a supply for parishes that need it. Because fermentation has been suspended, mustum is less stable than ordinary altar wine: it usually needs refrigeration and has a shorter shelf life. Don't try to make your own; the process has to be controlled to keep it valid matter.

How it works at Mass

If only you need mustum, the practical solution is usually a small, separate cup that the priest or a designated minister consecrates and hands to you. If you're a priest who cannot consume wine, mustum may be consecrated in place of ordinary wine for the Mass, with the bishop's permission.

When to talk to your pastor

Schedule a short conversation with your pastor before your first Communion in this manner. Bring the parish conversation card if it helps. Most pastors are glad to accommodate: they just need to know the logistics.