Michael Brooks
The Eucharist is a Christian rite that is thought to have derived from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. It is also referred to as Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, or the Breaking of Bread. In the Catholic Church, the Mass is a long rite divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Eucharist involves the consecration of bread and wine, which, according to Catholic theology, become the substances of the body and blood of Christ through a process called transubstantiation. The bread used for this consecration is known as sacramental bread, and it has different variations depending on the specific church and its traditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread type | Leavened or unleavened |
| Ingredients | Wheat flour, water, yeast, salt |
| Gluten content | Low gluten content is considered "valid matter" |
| Shape | Round, square, triangular |
| Markings | Cross, crucifix, IHS Christogram |
| Ritual | Consecrated by a priest through prayer |
| Consumption | Taken by the congregation in Holy Communion |
| Other names | Host, Lamb, Prosphora, Antidoron |
| Related terms | Eucharist, Holy Mass, Holy Mysteries |
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What You'll Learn
Leavened vs. unleavened bread
In the Christian liturgy, bread is used as one of the elements of the Eucharistic sacrifice. However, there is no conclusive evidence as to whether Christ used leavened or unleavened bread during the Last Supper. The type of bread used differs between Christian denominations and within the Catholic Church itself.
Leavened Bread
The Eastern Churches, including the Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Churches, generally use leavened bread for the Eucharist. The Eastern tradition associates yeast in bread with the soul in the body, as both give life. Thus, the "living bread" of the Eucharist must contain yeast. The Maronite Church, which falls under the Eastern Catholic Churches, has adopted the use of unleavened bread due to liturgical Latinisation.
Unleavened Bread
The Western Churches, including the Roman-rite Catholics, use unleavened bread for the Eucharist. This is because it is believed that Jesus used unleavened bread during the Last Supper. The Code of Canon Law requires that the hosts be made from wheat flour and water only, freshly prepared to avoid spoilage. Unleavened bread is also used by the Lutheran Churches that use the Western Rite, as well as the Armenian Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, to symbolise the sinlessness of Christ.
While the type of bread used differs, both leavened and unleavened bread are considered valid matter for the Eucharist. According to Catholic theology, the bread's substance is changed into the Body of Christ during the Words of Institution, a process known as transubstantiation.
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Transubstantiation
The Eucharist is a Christian rite that derives from the Greek word "eucharistia", meaning thanksgiving. It is believed that during the Last Supper, Jesus consecrated bread and wine and instructed his disciples to do the same in his memory. Thus, the Eucharist is a sacred act of remembrance and communion with Christ.
The bread used for the Eucharist is typically made of wheat flour and water, though variations exist, such as the use of olive oil, salt, or gluten-free flour. The bread may be baked by members of the congregation or by nuns supporting their religious communities. In some traditions, such as the Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Churches, leavened bread is used, while in others, such as the Roman Rite, unleavened bread is preferred. The use of leavened or unleavened bread has been a subject of debate and discussion within the Church.
During the Eucharist, the priest consecrates the bread and wine through prayer, and they are then received by the congregation as Holy Communion. The consecrated bread, also known as the host, retains its physical attributes, such as colour, taste, feel, and smell, but its substance is believed to be transformed into the Body of Christ. This transformation is what Catholics refer to as transubstantiation, and it is this belief that distinguishes the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist from other Christian denominations.
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The Eucharist
The bread used in the Eucharist is known as sacramental bread or hosts. In the early Church, the bread and wine were brought to the altar by the faithful, with each person contributing their share. Over time, different customs emerged, with Eastern Churches predominantly using leavened bread, and Western Churches opting for unleavened bread. The type of bread used is not considered to be of significant dogmatic importance, as either kind is valid for the Eucharistic sacrifice.
The process by which the bread is believed to become the Body of Christ is called transubstantiation. While the physical attributes of the bread and wine remain unchanged, their substance is transformed. This belief is central to Catholic theology, which holds that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.
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The Last Supper
During the Last Supper, Jesus blessed and broke bread, offering it to his disciples with the words, "This is my body, which is given for you". He then passed a cup of wine, saying, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many". These words, recorded in the Gospels, are echoed by priests during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The meal included the blessing and breaking of bread and communion. It is considered the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Communion. The early Christian community obeyed Jesus' command to 'break bread' in his name, and this memorial became a central ritual for Christians when they gathered.
The bread used during the Last Supper is a subject of debate. Some believe it was unleavened bread, as it was the "day of unleavened bread" and the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed, per the Gospel accounts. However, others argue that it could have been leavened, giving rise to differing practices in Eastern and Western Churches.
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Sacramental bread
The Eucharist, derived from the Greek word eucharistia, is a source and summit of Christian life. It involves the consecration of bread and wine, which are believed to be transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. This process is known as transubstantiation.
The bread used in the Eucharist is called sacramental bread, or a host. The term host is derived from the Latin word hostia, meaning "sacrificial victim". The host is often made of wheat flour and water, and sometimes includes yeast and salt. It is typically unleavened in the Western Church, including the Roman Catholic Church, and leavened in the Eastern Churches, including the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches. However, there are some variations within these traditions. For example, the Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Churches use leavened bread, while the Maronite Church uses unleavened bread. The Syro-Malabar Church uses both types of bread.
The preparation and baking of the sacramental bread are considered sacred acts. In the Armenian Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, the baking is performed by a devout Orthodox Christian who has recently confessed and is accompanied by prayer and fasting. The dough is formed into two disks, stacked and stamped with a liturgical seal. The bread must be fresh when presented at the altar.
The host is typically small and thin, often in the form of a wafer, and may be stamped with a cross or other religious emblem. In some traditions, such as the Lutheran Church, the host may also include a crucifix or IHS Christogram. The bread is consecrated by a priest during the Eucharist and then consumed by the congregation as Communion.
In recent years, there has been an accommodation for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Low-gluten bread is now considered valid matter for the host, provided it does not alter the nature of the bread. Some congregations also allow for the substitution of rice cakes or other gluten-free alternatives for those with dietary restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. It is a rite that is referred to in the Didache, a late 1st or early 2nd-century document.
The Eucharist involves the consecration of bread and wine, which are believed to become the substances of the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation) while retaining the appearance of bread and wine.
The type of bread used varies between different Catholic churches. The Eastern Catholic Churches generally use leavened bread, while the Western Catholic Churches typically use unleavened bread.
The use of leavened or unleavened bread holds symbolic significance. Leavened bread is symbolic of sin, while unleavened bread symbolizes the sinlessness of Christ.
Yes, low-gluten bread is considered valid matter for the Eucharist in the Catholic Church, provided that no additional substances alter the nature of the bread. Gluten-free bread can be used to accommodate those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
