Church Host: what it is and why it is used

Hosts, as well as the hosts, are small bread without yeast, generally circular and thin in shape, used by priests during the celebration of the Eucharist. According to Catholic doctrine, the consecrated host becomes the body of Christ, while the non-consecrated one has a symbolic meaning. Its composition usually includes wheat flour and water, but there are also particular variants such as hosts for celiacs, made with alternative flours.

Mass wine: different types

Holy Mass wine is a red or white wine that is used during the Eucharistic celebration. According to Catholic tradition, the wine for mass must be natural, from grape, “genuine' and be consecrated by the priest, thus becoming the blood of Christ. The choice of wine depends on the preferences of the priest or community, but it is still important that it is of quality and meets the requirements established by the Church.

Incense for the celebration

Next to the host and the mass wine, another product used during the celebrations is incense , a mixture of plant resins that is burned inside an incense burner and spreads an intense and characteristic fragrance.

The use of incense has a symbolic and spiritual value: the smoke that is released represents the prayers of the faithful who rise to the sky, while the fragrance perfumes the environment and promotes concentration during the celebration.

Consumables for the celebration of Holy Mass are elements of fundamental importance within the Catholic liturgy. The host and the mass wine embody the body and blood of Christ, while the incense and candles have a purely spiritual relief. The use of these consumable religious items creates an evocative atmosphere and encourages the recollection of the faithful during prayer.