demptionA reader writes:
Attached is a "bread recipe" a local parish uses to bake its own Eucharistic bread. They’ve established a group of people within their Worship commission to bake this weekly and have it ready for weekend Masses. I’ve attached the recipe for you to look at. Is it legitimate? Hopefully you can shed some light on the issue. Thank you very much.
Since the recipe calls for the use of salt, baking powder, honey, and oil, it is clearly illicit (not in conformity with the law). The Code of Canon Law provides:
Canon 924 ยง2.
The bread must be only wheat and recently made
so that there is no danger of spoiling.
The instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum further specifies:
[48.] The bread used in the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharistic Sacrifice must be unleavened, purely of wheat, and recently made so that there is no danger of decomposition. It follows therefore that bread made from another substance, even if it is grain, or if it is mixed with another substance different from wheat to such an extent that it would not commonly be considered wheat bread, does not constitute valid matter for confecting the Sacrifice and the Eucharistic Sacrament. It is a grave abuse to introduce other substances, such as fruit or sugar or honey, into the bread for confecting the Eucharist. Hosts should obviously be made by those who are not only distinguished by their integrity, but also skilled in making them and furnished with suitable tools.
I would talk to the bishop about the problem if you can’t get it rectified on the parish level.

