Sacramental wine: What makes it so?

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PROVIDENCE In keeping with the Last Supper narratives in Scripture, the Catholic Church has always regarded bread and wine as the only matter essential for the eucharistic meal and sacrifice. (Cn 924)

"It must be wine from the grape," explained Msgr. John J. Darcy, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese. He added that a eucharistic celebration is invalid if the celebrant uses wine made from any fruit other than grapes.

He added that if a priest is allergic to wine or a recovering alcoholic, the bishop many grant permission to use mustum, the unfermented juice of ripe grapes. A separate cup of wine must be consecrated for concelebrants and for others if communion is given under both species.

Msgr. Darcy noted that sacramental wine may be made from any type of grape. Many priests prefer a sweeter wine when they are celebrating Mass early in the morning, while others opt for a heavier burgundy.

"It's a matter of taste," he acknowledged.

The chancellor emphasized that canon law states that sacramental wine that has become "corrupt" by turning to vinegar or losing most of its alcohol content, or which contains unapproved additives or foreign matter, is also invalid matter and cannot be used in the eucharistic celebration.

Similarly, the altar bread should be not stale or moldy.

"The matter should be fresh," he concluded.

(This article originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)