| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bread as the Eucharist? | May | Tuesday, August 10, 2004 |
Question: I received Communion at Mass this past Sunday at the Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Oakland, CA, located right next door to the Oakland Diocese. The Eucharist was a square piece that resembled real baked bread, almost like wheat or multigrain bread. I thought that the Eucharist was supposed to be unleavened bread and wafer-like. Also, in the area of the bulletin where it listed the names of the priests and the staff, it also listed the name of the person who was the "Bread Baker." By the way, the Eucharist that the priest held during the liturgy of the Eucharist was the wafer that I'm used to seeing. I'm curious for an explanation for all this. Thank you and God bless, May |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear May, The bread for communion must be made only with wheat, it must be unleavened, and must have been made recently. It must also be able to be broken, and it must have the appearance of food. (from the GIRM). It need not be wafer-like. There is nothing wrong with having someone from the parish make the bread and having their name listed in the Bulletin, provided that it is a trustworthy person. Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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