This bread gives nourishment to the body as does Holy Communion gives nourishment to the soul.
Today is the feast of Corpus Christi. This Feast celebrates the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is also known as communion. Corpus Christi is a time when people come together as one body to remember and celebrate the life of Jesus.
Corpus Christi is a latin phrase meaning body of Christ. It commemorates the Last Supper on the day before Jesus was crucified.
Corpus Christi has been celebrated by Catholics as far back as the 1200's.
Bread has long been a symbol of life and nourishment in the Catholic Faith. I thought it fitting to bake some bread to celebrate the most Holy Eucharist.
Corpus Christi Bread
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups water
3 1/2 cups all purpose or bread flour
1 tablespoon powdered milk
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons butter cut into four pieces
1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
Directions:
Pour the water into the bread pan. In a bowl combine flour, powdered milk, salt and sugar. Pour flour mixture over water covering it completely. Put the butter in separate corners of the pan. Make a small well in the middle and add the yeast.
Insert pan into machine insuring it is locked into place. Close lid and set to basic or normal and select loaf size and crust type if applicable.
Press start.
When baking is finished, take the bread pan out of the machine and remove loaf onto a wire rack to cool.
It is best to serve when still warm but room temperature is OK also.
If you do not have a bread maker you can put the first six ingredients in a mixer and using a dough hook mix unitl the dough is formed. Place in a greased loaf pan and sprinkle 1.4 cup oats over the top of the bread. Bake in a 375 oven for about about 45 minutes. Bread should be done when it is golden brown.
Peace be with you,
Veronica
