The True Essence Of Communion Wafers
If you are unfamiliar with the Christian tradition and practice, then communion wafers might prove to be a total mystery for you.
To let you know, these wafers are used during the Holy Communion to represent the body of Christ. Even though the symbolism is a bit complicated, the ingredients for the piece are actually quite simple.
The thing is if you taste one, it will be quite unlike anything, but this tastelessness in the wafer is crucial to the ceremony instead. It is important since it helps to let people focus their attention on the meaning behind the practice instead.
You will find that there are so many manufacturers for today’s holy wafer. Each company has their own special elements when it comes to making the bread, but most do contain two of the basic ingredients found in it.
These two common ingredients include water and pure wheat flour. Of course, as mentioned, other communion breads are created with more complex ingredients than the two, but this depends on the manufacturer.
Some of the other ingredients used in these recipes could include yeast or salt so that it can have a small hint of flavor.
However, there is one very special ingredient that is sometimes added when making these holy wafers, and that is holy water.
Manufacturers sometimes sprinkle a small portion of holy water in the dough while it is being mixed. Afterwards, it is baked and then used in the church service.
Most Christians are familiar with communion wafers, however, not everyone knows where or who makes them.
However, this isn’t very surprising since back in the day, the work of creating these wafers fell only to a select few.
During the course of history, there were special bakers handpicked by the church to create these wafers. Besides that, there was a single oven that was assigned for the sole purpose of baking these wafers, making it a very sacred affair.
When times began to change, the whole secrecy towards the baking of the bread changed and tradition was broken down.
Currently, there are plenty of large suppliers for the wafers. These are companies belonging to the private sector and no longer made by nuns and special bakers appointed by people in church.
Although there are plenty of manufacturers in this industry, there are still companies that hold a monopoly when it comes to being a supplier for these church wafers.
In fact, one company is said to be the sole supplier of these wafers for over three quarters of the churches found in the US.
The history and significance of these holy wafers cannot be underestimated. Even though most non Christians might not be familiar with them, there is no doubt that it is an essential part of the faith as well as the ceremony of these churches.
For people who participate in the Holy Communion, taking in these communion wafers should go beyond the fact that they are tasteless, but instead that it showcases people’s faith and represents the Lord’s love.
