Bread That Is Broken

by Wilfrid Stinissen

The Holy Eucharist is the Church's most precious treasure, the source and summit of her worship and life. The Church is built upon and around the Eucharist. In this book, a renowned spiritual writer and Carmelite priest shows how receiving the Lord in the Eucharist has profound consequences, because the Eucharist is not only the great Sacrament that brings about oneness with Christ and with the faithful but also the foundational norm for Christian behavior. Any Christian who wonders how he should act, he writes, will find the answer in the Eucharist. He is called to become like Jesus—bread that is broken"for the life of the world" (Jn 6:51). According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, all the sacraments are directed toward the Eucharist as toward their final purpose. The author explains that the Church must therefore guard this precious gift. He correctly challenges the faithful to approach the Eucharist with great reverence and a clear conscience so as not to receive the Lord unworthily but to become his sacrificing and serving people.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Christian, Spirituality, Christianity

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Rev. Fr. Wilfrid Stinissen, OCD

Reviews

[Audrey Monahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

They say the best things come in small packages and that is certainly the case for Bread that is Broken (and, as I’ve realized from this book, rings truest in the Eucharist). Thanks, Fr. Peter, for the recommendation!

My favorite points made in this book were about the importance of our active role in the Eucharist. When we receive the Eucharist, we too are called to become the body and bread of Christ. It’s beautiful how God is able to multiply His love and generosity through us as we go out and serve Him. “We can give much more love than we realize, because we receive much more love than we can imagine. There is no risk that the source will run dry.”

I also loved Fr. Stinissen’s commentary on the importance of Jesus’s presence in such an innocuous way. Because God’s love is so great, generous, and extravagant, He is content hiding in the littleness of the Eucharist. This humility also “gives us an opportunity to train ourselves to recognize God in the small and insignificant.”

I’d highly recommend this book to anyone looking to grow closer to Christ—I will definitely re-read it when I find myself being inattentive to the amazing gift and sacrifice that lies in the Holy Eucharist.

[Caroline Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book earned every one of the 5 stars I gave it! Bread that is Broken expanded my perspective on the depth of the beauty of the Eucharist, and I will never experience the Mass in the same way again. I would highly recommend this book as it was a quick read while packing in so much depth and beauty into my personal view of the Eucharist. It truly is a must read for every Catholic!

[Chris (thebookaholic) Padgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book on the Eucharist. It was thoughtful, rich, filled with deep insights and provided a lot to think and reflect upon. I highly recommend.

[Connor Helsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was excellent it dives into the spirituality of the eucharist as well as the fundamental teachings on our Lord present in the transforming bread. The chapter on transformation was perhaps the most moving for me. Stinissen says we need to put our pains our sorrows on the paten to be transformed just as the bread is transformed into our Lord. Perhaps we can relate this back to scripture and the woman with the alabaster jar whom was disrespected in societal status. When she falls before the Lord in all humility she does not speak her pains, sins or sorrows she rather just receives Him whom she knows can take them all away. In this reception of the Lords divine love she is transformed. However that transformation does not remove the qualities within her that made her who she is. He rather transforms them for good. Lets use the idea of a bottle of wine, a bottle of wine itself is created for good by the Lord however we can use that bottle for evil. Regardless of how this bottle of wine is used it is still the same bottle of wine. This woman was still the same woman and the persona and the qualities she used so well to move about her life of sin were transformed into the traits and qualities she began to use so well on her path to sainthood. The Eucharist is not much different, it undergoes a dramatic transformation which changes food into the life giving substance of Jesus Christ. With this transformation of the bread into the Body of the wine into the Blood we ourselves are also able to be transformed. We can place our sin on the paten with the bread which will be transformed. We can place our shame there, our sorrow, our hurt, our brokenness, or our pain. Because just as on that paten the bread becomes the bread of life so can our damages become life giving.

[Emma Geis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would argue this is one of the best books on the Eucharist I have read. The first two chapters can get a little "heady," but, overall, this is a book anyone could pick up and grow in knowledge and love of the Holy Eucharist.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of his books, however still solid and has lots to consider, especially the last few chapters and living Eucharistically.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, the Eucharist. My charism.

A hidden gem I came across while at a Catholic store with my Ma in MO.

I love an excuse to learn about the Eucharist.

This one really breaks down the significance and connections of the Eucharist, how it relates to us, the church, and different meanings it takes. Highly recommend for any Eucharist fanatics and anyone just wanting to know more about the significance of the Eucharist.

I want to live my life Eucharistically, and I encourage you all to do the same. Much love. 💙

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Stinissen's books are brief and easy to read. With the craftsmanship of a true master and the heart of a disciple, he breaks open the theological truths in a way that makes them shine forth with compelling clarity. This book certainly was an easy read, but it's also full of spiritual gems that I'll surely go back to time and time again. I highly recommend it and I highly recommend Fr. Stinissen's other works.

[Katie J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may seem like a quick read, but this book can take quite a while to finish it. I’ve spent many minutes in prayer reflecting on sentences or passages from this book. I’ve marked pages in the book that I plan to revisit and sit with during Adoration. I also plan on rereading the book in its entirety again very soon. Highly recommend so that you can come to better know of the Eucharist in its many dimensions.

[Theresa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be read quickly, but I encourage you to savor it. What a beautiful reflection on the Eucharist. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to grow more in love with Jesus and the Eucharist.

[Caty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but incredibly rich. I underestimated how much beauty is contained in this little book.