Hi everyone, I have a question specific to eucharist. As a devout Catholic, it is important to me to receive eucharist at least one time a week, I generally try for more if I can. However, since surgery I have not been able to take it at all.

My parish has a bread baking team and the eucharist that we prepare is an actual unleavened bread that is whole wheat and REALLY dense. It is cut into small cubes (probably 1/3" square) for the sacrament. We don't use the wafers.

I am very scared of getting a plug or something. I have not talked to my priest yet about it. thinking MAYBE i could request a smaller piece or something?

I know that they won't allow me to bring something of my own (like a thin rice wafer cracker or something) to be blessed as part of the sacrament. I have a friend in the parish with a wheat allergy who requested this and our diocese said no...

How can I honor my commitment to my faith and my responsibility of receiving the sacrament?

Bread doesn't bother me at all. Have you tried it yet? You could just take the wine.

I had a similar issue a few weeks back, but my parish had the wafers. I just did the arms crossed so I could at least get a blessing up until I was aloud solid foods again. Maybe you could try just holding it in your mouth until it softens up really good and swallow a little bit at a time? Have you called your doctor to ask? It may be the bread does not bother you, or it may be a bit sore for a short while after... Best wishes to you!

I know that they won't allow me to bring something of my own (like a thin rice wafer cracker or something) to be blessed as part of the sacrament. I have a friend in the parish with a wheat allergy who requested this and our diocese said no...

Seriously? Allergies be damned? (I have a feeling that response would vary by diocese.)

Serious suggestion: Perhaps you could hold the wafer in your mouth, but back in the pews take it out of your mouth and later on when you were alone you could chew chew chew up a bit of it?

I am Catholic and it took me up till I was three months out to take the sacrament. I just went up with my arms crossed and got blessed till I could tolerate the host.

Talk to the priest and explain the situation. If they cannot make some arrangement, you may want to rethink where you go to worship. God wouldn't make you go through a ritual that can make you sick.

First, thanks for posting this! I haven't been back to Mass since the surgery--three weeks ago today--and it never occurred to me that receiving the Eucharist might be a problem.

So, now I have a plan. A blessing until October!

Thank you again.

As a Eucharistic minister do not I repeat do not hold it in your mouth until you get back to the pew and "munch" on it. Speak to your priest, or Monsignor about your specific situation, allow him to guide you, there are many with swallowing issues that can only tolerate the blood and those with specific personal issues that can only receive the body. Please don't feel your entire spiritual experience is related to communion, you'll get there, be kind to yourself. God bless.

sent a little e-mail to my priest and he responded saying it would NOT be a problem. in MY case, he will break off a very tiny corner of the Eucharist for me when I go up and that way I can still participate. i'm so glad. he is an awesome priest.

I am a Eucharistic Minister and asking for a smaller piece is fine. I make smaller pieces for the residents in the nursing home all the time. There also should not be any issue with you taking a small sip of Water once you get back to your seat. I would suggest you let the Pastor know what you are doing. As for me, I could not receive the first week but was ok the second week with the wafer. What is most important is that I have the Holy Eucharist in me. Hope this helps. Peace be with you!