Vatican document draws new attention to low-gluten hosts and 'mustum'

Published: 2004-05-04

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Vatican's recent document on liturgical abuses reiterated that only unadulterated wheat bread and wine are valid for the Eucharist. The April 23 document did not mention the exceptions in individual cases by which, with a bishop's permission, people who suffer celiac disease can use low-gluten wheat hosts and those who suffer alcohol intolerance can use the "mustum" of grapes -- juice with only the slightest traces of alcohol. Since both bread and wine must be consecrated and consumed by the celebrant or chief celebrant at Mass, a number of priests who are recovering alcoholics have received permission to use "mustum" in place of regular wine in the chalice. When asked about some readers' questions to Catholic News Service following news stories about the new document, Msgr. James P. Moroney directed attention to last November's NewsLetter, a periodical publication of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Liturgy. Msgr. Moroney heads the Secretariat for Liturgy, the committee's national staff office. The November issue of NewsLetter was devoted entirely to an explanation of norms spelled out in a July 2003 letter to heads of bishops' conferences from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, concerning valid matter for the celebration of the Eucharist.

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