Ingredients for the altar bread

[AdDeiGloriamNKU]

During a post Thanksgiving dinner conversation, some out of town relatives talked about how their parish church makes their own bread and how some “follow the recipe” while others will “add things to it”, like honey.

The conversation reminded me of a Passover service when I was in Catholic grade school, and the teachers wanted to make their own unleavened bread and have the parish priest use it as part of the Mass. The priest refused because, as I recall, the alter bread to be used for the Eucharist must be made of wheat flour and water, and the bread they were wanting to make would have other ingredients.

I’ve found on-line sources that confirm my understanding regarding acceptable ingredients of alter bread for the Eucharist. This still made me sad the think that this is a common practice in one parish and maybe more.

The out of town relatives revealed that it was a contentious issue in the parish. Apparently the new pastor wanted to do away with the practice, but was challenged on the issue by those that like it. On the other side of the fence there are members of the parish that like prefer the traditional wafer because it does not crumble like the parish made bread. The pastor has permitted the parish to continue to make alter bread, and now insists on the committee of volunteers to a stricter recipe and method of preparation. The priest also will consecrate both types (parish made alter bread and traditional wafers) and allow those receiving the choice.

I didn’t really have a question … I just wanted to share the story.

It reminds me of how much we need to pray for our priests and bishops, to have the courage to teach what is right and hold to the Traditions of the faith.

 

[Phemie]

There’s nothing wrong with homemade altar bread if the recipe is followed. I’ve made it before with only white/whole wheat flour and water and it was valid, licit matter.

Those who believe you cannot chew when you receive Communion (I was one until I was taught otherwise) cannot comfortably consume this homemade bread by letting it dissolve in their mouth and I’ve seen a few start to choke on it so I have to admire the parish that offers both kinds.

I have to admit that in my days of baking bread in several parishes, and not knowing any better, I’ve followed the recipes I was given and at various times added milk, honey, salt & sugar. In fact, after one Easter Vigil I had to rush my daughter to the ER because she’s allergic to dairy and had a bad reaction. It was always obviously bread so I don’t think it was invalid matter, but it certainly was illicit matter.

 

[Aramis]

It is also worthy of note that the prosphora bread used in the byzantine rite is usually made by parishioners. And it is leavened.

The Only Wheat & Water restriction is a Roman Rite restriction.

The Byzantine and Alexandrian Rite Churches as a generality use leavened bread of wheat, water, yeast, and salt. This is permitted under canon law. Moreover, it is possible for leavened bread to be consecrated during a roman mass for use in byzantine or alexandrian parishes in extremis, like when their pastor is too ill to say the Divine Liturgy. (Eastern Catholic obligations are different than roman). (Likewise, Roman-style hosts may be consecrated at Byzantine or Alexandrian Liturgies for providing viaticum or for communion services in neighboring Roman and Syrian Rite parishes).

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

It is also worthy of note that the prosphora bread used in the byzantine rite is usually made by parishioners. And it is leavened.

The Only Wheat & Water restriction is a Roman Rite restriction.

The Byzantine and Alexandrian Rite Churches as a generality use leavened bread of wheat, water, yeast, and salt. This is permitted under canon law. Moreover, it is possible for leavened bread to be consecrated during a roman mass for use in byzantine or alexandrian parishes in extremis, like when their pastor is too ill to say the Divine Liturgy. (Eastern Catholic obligations are different than roman). (Likewise, Roman-style hosts may be consecrated at Byzantine or Alexandrian Liturgies for providing viaticum or for communion services in neighboring Roman and Syrian Rite parishes).

That information in my opinion usually just confuses the issue for most people…

 

[FrDavid96]

Interrestingly, homemade bread is often seen a some kind of “liberal innovation.” Yet, in reality, the Church officially prefers “real bread” over the typical wafer hosts, and prefers bread recently baked by the community over that which is commercially prepared.

However, at the same time, extreme caution must be exercised here. Those making the bread must use only wheat flour and water, and never anything else. Also, the bakers must be properly trained and have the proper baking utensils (or pans, or whatever) to ensure that the bread is properly baked (not burn or raw or even both at the same time). Baking a proper wheat-and-water only bread for use at Mass is much more difficult than most people imagine–even for those who are very well-skilled at baking other foods. It is actually very difficult to work with only flour and water and have a finished product that is suitable for the Holy Sacrifice.

It is a laudable practice for parishioners to bake the bread for use at Mass. It’s very positive and contributes greatly to the symbolism present in the Eucharist. But it must be done with great caution and proper training, and only those who can be trusted absolutely to make sure that nothing else is added should do this. (Not that I’m saying someone would be untrustworthy, but it’s not hard to imagine a well meaning person using a non-stick spray for example and being unaware that it would make a difference.)

 

[Stewmont]

Interrestingly, homemade bread is often seen a some kind of “liberal innovation.” Yet, in reality, the Church officially prefers “real bread” over the typical wafer hosts, and prefers bread recently baked by the community over that which is commercially prepared.

However, at the same time, extreme caution must be exercised here. Those making the bread must use only wheat flour and water, and never anything else. Also, the bakers must be properly trained and have the proper baking utensils (or pans, or whatever) to ensure that the bread is properly baked (not burn or raw or even both at the same time). Baking a proper wheat-and-water only bread for use at Mass is much more difficult than most people imagine–even for those who are very well-skilled at baking other foods. It is actually very difficult to work with only flour and water and have a finished product that is suitable for the Holy Sacrifice.

It is a laudable practice for parishioners to bake the bread for use at Mass. It’s very positive and contributes greatly to the symbolism present in the Eucharist. But it must be done with great caution and proper training, and only those who can be trusted absolutely to make sure that nothing else is added should do this. (Not that I’m saying someone would be untrustworthy, but it’s not hard to imagine a well meaning person using a non-stick spray for example and being unaware that it would make a difference.)

Where is that stated for the Latin Rite of the Church? Thanks.

 

[Phemie]

Where is that stated for the Latin Rite of the Church? Thanks.

GIRM

1. The bread for celebrating the Eucharist must be made only from wheat, must be recently baked, and, according to the ancient tradition of the Latin Church, must be unleavened.

1. The meaning of the sign demands that the material for the Eucharistic celebration truly have the appearance of food. It is therefore expedient that the eucharistic bread, even though unleavened and baked in the traditional shape, be made in such a way that the priest at Mass with a congregation is able in practice to break it into parts for distribution to at least some of the faithful. Small hosts are, however, in no way ruled out when the number of those receiving Holy Communion or other pastoral needs require it. The action of the fraction or breaking of bread, which gave its name to the Eucharist in apostolic times, will bring out more clearly the force and importance of the sign of unity of all in the one bread, and of the sign of charity by the fact that the one bread is distributed among the brothers and sisters.

 

[FrDavid96]

Where is that stated for the Latin Rite of the Church? Thanks.

The part about “real bread” is in the GIRM when it describes what is necessary for Mass. Phemie quoted it above. Note the words “…truly have the appearance of food…”

Redemptionis Sacramentum repeats it should be recently baked.

At the offertory, the priest says “Blessed are You Lord God of all creation, through Your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made…”

I never heard of an offertory prayer saying “which earth has given and machines have made.” Yet one commercial altar bread company proudly advertises “never touched by human hands.” I use their hosts, by the way, as I’m unable to obtain proper home baked bread.

Please keep in mind my comments that the bread must be prepared carefully and properly.

 

[Aramis]

Please keep in mind my comments that the bread must be prepared carefully and properly.

And in sufficient quantity… For many Roman parishes, that would be the largest of issues.

 

[Stewmont]

Interrestingly, homemade bread is often seen a some kind of “liberal innovation.” Yet, in reality, the Church officially prefers “real bread” over the typical wafer hosts, and prefers bread recently baked by the community over that which is commercially prepared.

No no way does the GIRM support what you said:

GIRM 320. The bread for celebrating the Eucharist must be made only from wheat, must be recently baked, and, according to the ancient tradition of the Latin Church, must be unleavened.

GIRM 321. “The meaning of the sign demands that the material for the Eucharistic celebration truly have the appearance of food. It is therefore expedient that the eucharistic bread, even though unleavened and baked in the traditional shape, be made in such a way that the priest at Mass with a congregation is able in practice to break it into parts for distribution to at least some of the faithful. Small hosts are, however, in no way ruled out when the number of those receiving Holy Communion or other pastoral needs require it. The action of the fraction or breaking of bread, which gave its name to the Eucharist in apostolic times, will bring out more clearly the force and importance of the sign of unity of all in the one bread, and of the sign of charity by the fact that the one bread is distributed among the brothers and sisters.”

The GIRM is talking about one of those giant round hosts that sorta look like a pita! It’s not talking about what some call “real bread.” “Recently baked” is a relative term.

 

[FrDavid96]

GIRM 321. "The meaning of the sign demands that the material for the Eucharistic celebration truly have the appearance of food. It is therefore expedient that the eucharistic bread, even though unleavened and baked in the traditional shape, be made in such a way that the priest at Mass with a congregation is able in practice to break it into parts for distribution to at least some of the faithful. Small hosts are, however, in no way ruled out when the number of those receiving Holy Communion or other pastoral needs require it. The action of the fraction or breaking of bread, which gave its name to the Eucharist in apostolic times, will bring out more clearly the force and importance of the sign of unity of all in the one bread, and of the sign of charity by the fact that the one bread is distributed among the brothers and sisters."

The GIRM is talking about one of those giant round hosts! It’s not talking about a loaf or any other shape we associate with leavened bread.

That’s not necessarily true. Although one of those XXXLarge hosts would be satisfying the meaning of the words. If there are only 2 people at Mass, as “standard” priest host would also suffice. No one is disputing the fraction part of communion.

It’s the part about “truly have the appearance of food” that’s the issue here. That’s what I mean when I say that the Church actually gives preference to “real bread” The more it looks like “real bread” the stronger the symbolism of the Eucharist and the connection to the Last Supper can be made–not in terms of validity, but in terms of the visual symbolism.

And I’m not talking about a loaf here either. I’m talking about unleavened bread, which necessarily has a flat shape. Think pita bread (although that’s generally leavened), to get a mental image of what I mean.

 

[FrDavid96]

No no way does the GIRM support what you said:

That’s a pretty strong statement. Do you care to back it up by clearly showing how ANYTHING I have said is contrary to the GIRM? We’ve had the GIRM posted here several times already. Suffice to say that we can all read it and there’s no reason to post it yet again.

Kindly show me how what I have posted is NOT in harmony with the GIRM please.

 

[Phemie]

That’s not necessarily true. Although one of those XXXLarge hosts would be satisfying the meaning of the words. If there are only 2 people at Mass, as “standard” priest host would also suffice. No one is disputing the fraction part of communion.

It’s the part about “truly have the appearance of food” that’s the issue here. That’s what I mean when I say that the Church actually gives preference to “real bread” The more it looks like “real bread” the stronger the symbolism of the Eucharist and the connection to the Last Supper can be made–not in terms of validity, but in terms of the visual symbolism.

And I’m not talking about a loaf here either. I’m talking about unleavened bread, which necessarily has a flat shape. Think pita bread (although that’s generally leavened), to get a mental image of what I mean.

The closest ‘real bread’ that fits the Church’s requirement is chapati. That Indian bread is strictly flour and water and I cook it on a rack above the stove burner. It doesn’t keep so would be impractical but fresh chapati would fit the bill perfectly.

 

[SaintGobban]

That’s a pretty strong statement. Do you care to back it up by clearly showing how ANYTHING I have said is contrary to the GIRM? We’ve had the GIRM posted here several times already. Suffice to say that we can all read it and there’s no reason to post it yet again.

Kindly show me how what I have posted is NOT in harmony with the GIRM please.

In order to refute your comment, it would not be necessary to show that it was contrary to GIRM. It would merely be necessary to show that it was** NOT CONTAINED IN GIRM. **There is no place in GIRM where it states that there is a preference for home baked bread. Therefore, your claim has no substance in official documents. That makes it your opion, a mere opinion only. You seem to contradict your own statements about the preference for home made bread when you go on about how difficult this would be to accomplish in actuality and/or to oversee.

Just because a person has chosen a screen name indicating the person is a priest, this does not make it true. My screen name would indicate that I am a saint, nuf said.