Some Hudson Valley Churches Offering Gluten-Free Eucharist

Some local churches are jumping on the gluten-free bandwagon by offering a special version of Holy Communion just in time for Easter.

For those who are watching the amount of gluten in their diet, or suffer from Celiac disease, going to church can be a challenge when it comes to receiving the Eucharist. The Catholic Celiac Society (yes, that's a real thing) has suggestions for Christians that want to receive communion, but can't eat bread.

Until now, if you wanted to go gluten-free at mass you had to just opt for the wine, but now there is another option. A new low-gluten Communion host has been developed by The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri. After 10 years of research, they've developed a host made from gelatinized wheat starch. The sisters claim that it contains just 0.01% gluten, which is supposedly safe for anyone who suffers from gluten sensitivity.

The Poughkeepsie Journal's community blogger, Ann Byrne, has compiled a list of local churches that offer the low-gluten option. Some churches may only offer it upon special request, so it's best to inquire ahead of time.