February 16, 2021

UPDATED: Pope Francis responds to Longmeadow parishioner about low-gluten hosts

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

(iObserve photo/David Martin)

LONGMEADOW- Barbara Carroll, a member of St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow, has long been an advocate for low gluten hosts to be offered at Mass for those who have gluten allergies. A few years ago, Carroll, who suffers from celiac disease, approached St. Mary’s pastor Father C.J. Waitekus, who has since been offering the hosts at Mass.

Carroll would like to see the hosts offered at every parish around the world, not just St. Mary’s. Hoping to continue to raise awareness of the issue, Carroll reached out to Pope Francis himself asking him to mandate the availability of low-gluten hosts. 

“It should be no different for Catholics receiving the Holy Eucharist in low-gluten form than it is for millions of Catholics around the world who receive the traditional host,” said Carroll. “I think I put that in my letter to Pope Francis at least three or four times so that it would register to make a difference. That is what I am trying to do, make a difference.”

Father C.J. Waitekus distributes the low gluten host at St. Mary’s from a small ciborium that attaches to the larger ciborium containing the regular host. Carroll found and purchased this mini-ciborium online for the parish, called  G.I.F.T., or Gluten Intolerant Faithful Thanksgiving.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. Carroll said writing a letter to Pope Francis was almost a last resort because she had approached other bishops and cardinals, and wrote to the National Catholic Register. Carroll said failing to provide the low gluten host to those who need it hinders the deeply sacred and spiritual experience of receiving Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.

Father Waitekus helped get Carroll’s letter get delivered to Pope Francis through friends in Rome. While the response sent back was not the answer that Carroll was hoping for, he believes it advanced the conversation. In the letter, Pope Francis stated he appreciates Carroll’s concerns and will remember her intentions in his prayers.

Barbara Carroll posed with Father C.J. Waitekus at St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow in October 2017. (IObserve file photo)

“When she explained it to me, I said, ‘Sure, what can I do to make your life easy, especially and obviously in this parish?’ I guess it is outside of these walls, that is now the biggest challenge. She has been very adamant and I have said whatever I can do, I will do,” said Father Waitekus.

Father Waitekus said he’s thrilled to accommodate parishioners who suffer from celiac disease and have gluten allergies. When distributing the low-gluten hosts from the mini-ciborium, he uses his opposite hand because there are some people that have much more severe cases of gluten allergies. He said he’s praying that more priests, especially the newly ordained, will be motivated to offer low-gluten hosts in the future.

On Sunday, Feb. 14, Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated the 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Parish. Bishop Byrne said he was pleased to learn that Pope Francis took the time to respond to Carroll’s campaign for low-gluten communion hosts.

“For those who are gluten intolerant, this is a beautiful option and a letter from the Holy Father to that parishioner was an example of his pastoral leadership. The Lord gave us the Eucharist as this powerful gift. He is truly present, body, soul and divinity. So, for those who have issues with gluten, this is a wonderful chance and I hope it is made available in as many places as possible,” said Bishop Byrne.

Carroll said she may send a follow-up letter to Pope Francis. She said she will to continue to spread awareness about low gluten hosts.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.