Rachel Evans
Communion wafers are unleavened bread, made without yeast. They are used by Catholic, Episcopalian and Lutheran churches. In the past, nuns and bakers sanctioned by the church made communion wafers, but today, they are largely made by for-profit companies. The Cavanagh Company, a family business located in Rhode Island, manufactures communion wafers for over three-quarters of churches in the United States, Canada, England and Australia. The company uses machines to make the wafers, promoting them as untouched by human hands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Unleavened bread with no yeast, occasionally holy water |
| Manufacturing | Made by large manufacturers, such as The Cavanagh Company, or by nuns and bakers sanctioned by the church |
| Distribution | Used by Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches in the US, Canada, England, and Australia |
| Consumption | Served to large groups of worshippers during Eucharist services |
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What You'll Learn
Communion wafers are made from unleavened bread
The original communion bread was made from the typical mid-eastern flatbread baked on an open hearth. Today, the Catholic Church makes its own unleavened communion bread through its network of monasteries. For instance, the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville, Utah, is known for its bread and honey.
In the past, each local church would select a single baker to make the communion wafers, which would be baked in a special oven to preserve the ritual surrounding the making of the wafers. Nowadays, communion wafers are often mass-produced by large manufacturers, such as The Cavanagh Company, a family business located in Rhode Island.
The Cavanagh Company manufactures communion wafers for over three-quarters of Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. The company prides itself on the fact that its wafers are made entirely by machines and are "untouched by human hands," which is believed to preserve the sanctity of the product.
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Holy water is sometimes used in the dough
Communion wafers are unleavened bread, made without yeast. They are economical to produce and can serve large groups of worshippers. The original communion bread was made from typical mid-eastern flatbread baked on an open hearth.
Today, most communion wafers are made by large manufacturers. The Cavanagh Company, a family business located in Rhode Island, produces over three-quarters of the communion wafers used by Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. The company uses machines to make its wafers, promoting them as "untouched by human hands" to preserve their sanctity.
Some churches, however, still make their own communion bread. For example, nuns in a convent bake whole wheat bread for Methodist churches, and the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville, Utah, is known for its bread and honey.
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The Cavanagh Company makes 3/4 of wafers globally
Communion wafers are unleavened bread, made without yeast. They are economical to produce and can serve large groups of worshippers. The original communion bread was made from typical mid-eastern flatbread baked on an open hearth.
The Cavanagh Company, a family-owned business located in Rhode Island, manufactures over 3/4 of the communion wafers used by Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. The company has been in operation for over 70 years and supplies wafers to various religious denominations worldwide.
Cavanagh's manufacturing process is highly automated, with the company touting that their wafers are "untouched by human hands," which they believe preserves the sanctity of the product. Their facility uses custom-converted wafer ovens that bake the wafers according to a patent-protected process, resulting in a sealed edge that prevents crumbs. The company also uses engraving plates to stamp religious symbols into the dough.
The Cavanagh Company sources its wheat flour from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), a major agribusiness corporation. ADM's flour is used in various products, from tortillas and bagels to the communion wafers that become, in the eyes of millions, the body of Christ. The Cavanagh Company is actively working to expand its international market, seeking distributors in Europe and other regions.
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Wafers are made by machines, not humans
Communion wafers are made without yeast, in the most economical way to serve large groups of worshippers. Originally, communion bread was made from typical mid-eastern flatbread baked on an open hearth.
Today, the Catholic Church makes its own communion bread and wine through its network of monasteries. However, the bread sold to the public contains yeast, grains, and wheat flour. This bread can be purchased at the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville, Utah.
While communion wafers were once made by nuns and bakers sanctioned by the church, they are now largely produced by machines. The Cavanagh Company, a family business located in Rhode Island, manufactures over three-quarters of the communion wafers used by Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia.
The Cavanagh Company prides itself on the fact that its wafers are made entirely by machines and are "untouched by human hands." This is promoted as a way to preserve the sanctity of the product. Thus, the process of making communion wafers has shifted from being a ritualistic task performed by select individuals to a large-scale operation managed by a for-profit business.
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Some churches use French bread instead of wafers, or whole wheat bread
Communion wafers, or unleavened bread, are used in the Catholic Church to represent the body of Christ during the Eucharist. The wafers are typically made from wheat flour and water, with some traditions calling for the addition of holy water. The Cavanagh Company, a family-owned business in Rhode Island, produces communion wafers for the majority of Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches in several countries, including the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. Their wafers are made by machines, a shift from the traditional method of baking by nuns and bakers sanctioned by the church.
While unleavened wafers are the most common in the Catholic Church, some churches use French bread or whole wheat bread instead. This practice is more common in Eastern-rite Catholic Churches, such as the Byzantine Rite and the Maronite Church, which use leavened bread for their communion services. The use of leavened bread in these churches symbolizes the soul in the body, as they believe yeast represents the soul that gives life. The Western tradition of using unleavened bread stems from the belief that this was the type of bread used by Jesus during the Last Supper.
The choice between unleavened and leavened bread is not considered a matter of validity but rather licitness. The Council of Florence in 1439 approved the use of either type of bread, leaving the decision to the custom of each church. This flexibility allows for the inclusion of different traditions and practices within the Catholic Church, accommodating a range of cultural and regional variations.
The use of French bread or whole wheat bread in communion services provides a tangible connection to the ritual of sharing bread, symbolizing unity and fellowship within the congregation. The physical act of breaking and distributing the bread can enhance the communal aspect of the ceremony, fostering a sense of participation and involvement among those taking part.
It is important to note that the Catholic Church has shown a preference for uniformity in the use of unleavened bread to signify the sacrifice of the Mass. While the use of leavened bread is permitted in Eastern-rite churches, Roman-rite Catholics are expected to adhere to the tradition of unleavened wafers to maintain consistency in their Eucharistic practices. This uniformity emphasizes the unity and shared sacrifice across the Catholic community.
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Frequently asked questions
Communion wafers are unleavened bread, so they contain no yeast.
Communion wafers are made by a network of monasteries. Historically, each local church would select a single baker to make communion wafers, but today, most wafers are made by large manufacturers.
The Cavanagh Company, a family business located in Rhode Island, manufactures communion wafers for over 3/4 of Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches in the US, Canada, England, and Australia.
Communion wafers are made by forming unleavened dough into small, thin, round pieces of bread. Sometimes, holy water is sprinkled over the dough before it is kneaded.
Communion wafers are described as tasting "pretty good".
