Catholic Controversies:
The Matter of The Blessed SacramentPage 2: Pope Michael's Reply
Prakash J Maskaren. The text of these exchanges have been modified to make better sense.
Date: Fri, 06 Dec 2002 18:08:46 -0600
To: "Hans Georg Lundahl"
From: "Pope Michael"
Sub.: Re: Matter of Hosts
Dear Hans
Summa II Q74 A3: On the contrary, Christ is contained in this Sacrament, and He compares Himself to a grain of wheat, saying (John 12:24): �Unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, itself remaineth alone.� Therefore bread - wheaten bread - is the matter of this sacrament.
Manual of Pastoral Theology, Schulze (1914), page 108: Nothing deserves greater attention and more careful vigilance than the �material sacrificii�. The sole matter allowed and prescribed �jure divino� for the Sacrifice of the Mass are brad and wine. The bread must have been prepared of wheat flour, if must be of round shape (forma obliculari), it must be unleavened, at least according to the Latin Rite. The best way to get the flour is to buy it at a mill and not in a store, for then you may rest assured, to obtain genuine unadulterated article.
� In baking the bread nothing but water ought to be mixed with the flour; no milk, butter, grease, etc. The priest should previously instruct those who have charge of the work.
Canon 815 states: The bread (for the Sacrifice of the Mass) must be pure wheat bread and recently made, so that there shall be no danger of corruption. The wine must be natural wine of the grape, and incorrupt.
Now, in order to be sure of the genuine matter of the bread and wine which is absolutely required in consecrating so great a Sacrament, it will certainly be better, unless the priest have both of these substances made at home, to obtain them from persons who are very expert in them and who actually grind the wheat or press the wine from the grapes; and who, besides, being above all suspicion, can safely certify that they have absolutely without any fraud, made the hosts from wheat alone, and pressed the wine from grapes alone. (From the Instruction, 26 March, 1929, of the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments.)
As for sifting, We have not studied into the matter sufficiently to make a ruling on this. However, store flour in the United States is certainly so processed as to be doubtful, and then additions have been made to fortify it, making it even more doubtful. Therefore the instruction of the Church, it will certainly be better, "unless the priest have both of these substances made at home" is certainly appropriate in this case.
>Footnote to the question of wheat in the Summa Theol., Caramelli Edition, Rome, 1948-9. Cannot send it, since it belongs to University Library of Lund.
A footnote in an edition of the Summa is just that, a footnote. We consulted Our English and Latin Summas, and there is no footnote in either edition.
>Candida, triticea, ac tenuis, non magna, rotunda, Expers fermenti, non salsa sit hostia Christi.
>The Host can hardly be shining white, unless one uses white flour, can it? It was originally developed for fine purposes like Holy Eucharist or Kings' tables. Can someone who upsets the usages of Holy Church be a Pope?
Also We have a host making machine, and the instructions say nothing about sifting. There is a white wheat, that can be grown, and maybe this is sufficient. In any case, there is a large difference between sifting and processing!
We would like to see more sources on the proper manufacture of hosts for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and something more than a footnote in support of your opinion.
Pope Michael
At 03:23 PM 12/1/2002 +0100, Hans-Georg Lundahl wrote:
Footnote to the question of wheat in the Summa Theol., Caramelli Edition, Rome, 1948-9. Cannot send it, since it belongs to University Library of Lund.
Pope Michael
Dear Hans,
What is your source for the quote below?
Pope Michael
At 03:53 PM 11/30/2002 +0100, you wrote:
On your page, you seem to imply that white flour is bad and - even apart the question of additions - should not be used for Eucharist, but rather full wheat / s k Graham flour.
However: Candida, triticea, ac tenuis, non magna, rotunda, Expers fermenti, non salsa sit hostia Christi. c
The Host can hardly be shining white, unless one uses white flour, can it? It was originally developed for fine purposes like Holy Eucharist or Kings' tables. Can someone who upsets the usages of Holy Church be a Pope?
Hans Georg Lundahl
Prakash Joao Maskaren wrote:
Basically, my response would be that your impugned statement was and is not an infallible or even magisterial statement, but from the text itself, it is very evidently merely a private opinion, and as such, it cannot be shown to destroy your papal claim. However, I await your response. (I have now received and read your response. I will post it on my yahoo group).
Pope Michael: You judge correctly, I did not intend to make any definitive statement, merely an observation. I think the matter needs more research and consideration. Until that time, when the Mass is restored, I shall heed the advice of the Decree I sent across and make my own hosts and wine. The wine has been made and is in the cellar; I hope to plant grapes next year, so that I can make wine here without having to travel 100 miles to a vineyard, where I pick. (They crush and press under my supervision; I do the rest) I have a grain grinder and wheat stockpiled. I hope to be able to get wheat growing here as well.