What kind of bread can be used at Mass?
Concerning the bread used for the celebration of the eucharist, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no.283, states that, “The nature of the sign demands that the material for the eucharistic celebration truly have the appearance of food. ” The present discipline of the Latin Church is that bread for the eucharist be made only of wheaten flour and water. According to a statement made in 1980 by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the addition or substitution of other ingredients can affect the validity of the sacrament. It is possible to reconcile these two norms and produce larger loaves of bread made entirely of flour and water. When such bread is used in parish celebrations, catechesis should be given so that all of the faithful are aware that the bread used is in conformity to the norms established by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. For more information, go to the USCCB web site. November 29, 1999 Copyright © United States Catholic Confer
