follow a strict gluten-free diet and maintain it for life to allow the recovery of the intestinal mucosa and reduce the risk of developing severe health complications. Protestantism In the varying Protestant denominations, there is a wide variety of practices concerning the sacramental bread used. Some, such as the Christian Congregation, use leavened loaves of bread, others, such as Lutherans, continue to use unleavened hosts like the Catholics, and some use matzo. Reformed Christians use rolls which are broken and distributed to symbolize their belief that Christ is not physically present in their bread. Among those who use the unleavened hosts, there is a great deal of variation: some are square or triangular rather than round, and may even be made out of whole wheat flour. Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has no strict rules on the type of bread used for sacramental purposes. Latter-day Saint scriptures state: "For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins." (Doctrine and Covenants 27:2) Different congregations may use either commercial bread or homemade bread prepared by members of the congregation. It is permissible to substitute rice cakes or other gluten-free breads for members who suffer from food allergies. The bread is broken into fragments just prior to being blessed by one of the officiating priests. Mandaeism In Mandaeism, priests perform rituals with sacramental bread called (). Every Sunday, Mandaeans participate in a baptismal mass () involving immersion in flowing water () by ordained priests. The baptized then consume pieces of blessed by a priest in order to restore their connections () with the World of Light (see Mandaean cosmology). Some Mandaean ritual ceremonies also require the use of a small, round, saltless, half-baked biscuit called the (). are used in rituals such as the , or the " of the Parents." See also Host desecration Notes Further reading Tony Begonja, Eucharistic Bread-Baking As Ministry, San Jose: Resource Publications, 1991, . External links New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia: Altar Breads Eastern Christian liturgical objects Eucharistic objects Religious food and drink Christian terminology