What is the host and why should we take it?

What is the host?

The host is unleavened bread specially prepared for the Mass. The priest consecrates it during the celebration of the Eucharist to share with the faithful during communion. The host is the Body of Christ, who rose from the dead.

How do you take the host?

There are two ways of taking the host.

The most common way is to take the host with your hands. Here is how to do this. First, you should put your right hand under your left, then walk in front of the priest or extraordinary minister, look at him as he presents "the Body of Christ" and answer "Amen". Then you can put it in your mouth and chew it with faith.

Now comes the other more traditional and ancient form of taking the host. This is to receive the host directly on your lips, or directly into your mouth. It is not necessary to put your hands forward to receive it. You simply open your mouth and say "Amen" just beforehand.

Why take the host?

The word host comes from the Latin ''hostia'' which means "victim". It is a means of celebrating the Eucharist among Christians. The host is given to the faithful during the celebration of the Mass, to commemorate the Last Supper, the last meal of Christ. At the Last Supper, Jesus Christ blessed a piece of bread and decided to offer it to the disciples, presenting it as his own body.

Since then, the Eucharist has become a thanksgiving to God. It is a testimony of gratitude to him.

When to take the host?

May and June are the season of communion. Many thousands of the little faithful will be able to receive the Body of Christ through the host.

The host can be taken after the first communion.

You can then take the host at any Mass you attend.

How is the host made?

Hosts are made from only two ingredients: water and flour. However, there is a long manufacturing process.

After kneading, the dough has to be baked in an oven to turn it into long, crisp sheets. First of all, it is important to know that altar breads can be of two colours: white or golden. Indeed, the golden hosts are heated to 240 degrees and the white hosts to 180 degrees.

Then, before cutting them into slices, they must be moistened overnight in a cold room. This process ensures that the host does not break when it is cut.

The hosts are cut with a machine. The plates are placed in the machine and then the machine cuts them into slices.

Then the altar breads are dried in large tubs for several days.

One person is responsible for sorting them to ensure that they are correct. Those with imperfections are usually given to animals.

Once the hosts have been sorted, all that remains is to put them in boxes.

The difference between the priest host and the faithful host

Large and medium hosts are only dedicated to priests. The traditional hosts are the small hosts that are only dedicated to the faithful who come to the altar to receive communion.

FAQ: What is the host and why should we take it?

What is the host?

The host is unleavened bread specially prepared for the mass. Read more...

How do I take the host?

There are two ways to take the host. You can take it with your hands, or directly into your mouth. Read more...

Why take the host?

The host is given to the faithful during the celebration of Mass, to commemorate the Last Supper, the last meal of Christ. More about the host...

How is the host made?

Hosts are made from only two ingredients: water and flour. However, there is a long process involved in making them. Read more...

Prayer for the Host

Lord Jesus, we come to you to thank you for the Eucharist and for the consecrated host.

We thank you for the gift of your body and blood which is the source of our redemption.

We thank you for the grace of receiving your body and blood in the Eucharist.

We ask you to give us the faith to believe in the reality of your real presence in the consecrated host.

We ask you to help us to grow in love and devangelisation for you and for others.

We ask you to bless all priests who celebrate Mass and distribute the consecrated host.

We thank you for all the blessings you have given us through the Eucharist and the consecrated host and we entrust our lives and souls to you.


Amen