Can a priest serve leavened bread?

[TimothyH]

It’s possible, but it was as white as white, fluffy bread can be, in no way wheat, and I’m a big bread Italian eater.

Italians cannot be consecrated, nor should you attempt to eat Italians. I’m sure it is a sin. I’m sure they don’t taste as good either.

-Tim-

 

[tafan]

I visited a local mass today where the priest used leavened bread. There’s a second priest at the same parish who uses unleavened bread - which I’m more use to at mass. Christ used unleavened bread, so I’m wondering if the church allows leavened?

Are you sure that Christ used unleavened bread? I do not think the Bible is clear. If the Last Supper was a Passover meal, as indicated by the synoptic gospels, then is would be safe to assume Christ used unleavened bread. If, on the other hand, the last supper was not a Passover meal, as indicated by John and the fact that none of the 4 accounts describe the details of the meal as being a Passover meal, then it could have been leavened or unleavened.
The Eastern churches tend to use leavened bread, so making categorical statements about Jesus using unleavened, when we do not know for sure, would seem to be a little too strong.

As to the question about if a Latin Rite priest should use leavened bread: most definitely NOT, the mass would still be valid (ie consecration would take place), but it would be very illicit. And if the bread was definitely not wheat, then it is a HUGE problem, as the mass would be invalid. That would be a very serious accusation to make against a priest, so please be sure you are correct on that one (I do not believe white vs brown is an indicator of wheaten bread or not, just an indicator if it was bleached)

 

[petronus]

Latin Rite Catholic Churches may only use unleavened bread for communion. Eastern Catholic Churches may use leavened bread.

So some Catholics use unleavened bread and some Catholics use leavened bread .

Why all the fuss ?

 

[pollynova]

LOL…!


Yeah, that sounds discreet, all right! (I can just picture a person coming up in the communion line, snapping shots off with his cell phone as he goes, before reaching the front of the line; or receiving communion and then wheeling around as he walks away, to take a photo…! Cue the ‘Mission Impossible’ theme music)

Yeah, I think snapping a pic during communion to snitch on the priest is pretty bad. Why not just ask the priest about it? Like other people have said, it might be unleavened bread. Anything bread will seem like pillows compared to those awful communion wafers most churches have. How those “things” qualify as bread is beyond me.

 

[GwenL]

Well, I mailed off a letter to the archbishop. I’ll let the matter rest in his hands. Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut.

Why in the world would you write an archbishop with such a concern, without first talking to the priest? You are accusing a priest of an illicit action to his superior, and you don’t talk to the man first?

The archbishop will likely never even see your letter. Someone far down in the chancery will answer your letter with, “did you discuss your concern with the pastor?” That is, if they answer the letter at all.

Really, shouldn’t we be giving our priests the benefit of the doubt? At least, we should have the courtesy (and courage) to talk to them face-to-face before accusing them of liturgical abuse to the archdiocese.

 

[Brendan]

Just as the Latin Church MUST use un leavened bread the Eastern Churches MUST use Leavened bread (except the Armenians).

Paul was correct.

It depends on which of the Eastern sui juris Churches you are referring to. The Ruthenian Church, yes, they MUST use leaven bread.

In the Chaldean Maronite, Syro-Malabar (and as you noted the Armenian) Churches, they use unleavened bread.

Your statement would only be correct if you defined “Eastern Catholic” as those of the Byzantine Rite. But Eastern Catholicism encompass more than those specific Churches.

 

[ChibiViolet]

Italians cannot be consecrated, nor should you attempt to eat Italians. I’m sure it is a sin. I’m sure they don’t taste as good either.

-Tim-

 

[Evan]

I am horrified! Using leavened bread instead of communion hosts or unleavened bread is a serious violation of the rules for the Sacrament of The Eucharist, and should be documented and reported to your Bishop.
I would photograph the priest giving the Eucharist to the people with a cell phone. That would be the most discreet way of doing it.
If what you say is true, it sounds like the parish is going into business for itself.

I’ve seen a paten used under the chin in receiving communion, but I’ve never seen it given on a cell phone. Usually it’s directly from fingers to hand or fingers to tongue. It seems slow. Put the host on a cell phone and have the communicant pick it up from there!!

 

[Cojuanco]

I visited a local mass today where the priest used leavened bread. There’s a second priest at the same parish who uses unleavened bread - which I’m more use to at mass. Christ used unleavened bread, so I’m wondering if the church allows leavened?

If it’s the Eastern Divine Liturgy, it’s allowed. If it’s a Latin Rite Mass, which is infinitely more common, absolutely not.