EAT THIS BREAD

"Eat This Bread" is one of the most widely sung Communion chants in the Catholic world, originally composed by Jacques Berthier for the Taizé Community. Its gentle, flowing refrain draws the congregation into a quiet, meditative space, making it an ideal piece for the Communion procession. Because the chorus is so easy to learn by heart, the faithful can sing it continuously as they walk forward to receive the Eucharist, without needing to look down at a hymnal.

The verses are taken directly from the Bread of Life discourse in the Gospel of John, echoing Christ’s own promises: "I am the bread of life," and "Any one who eats this bread will live for ever." For a choir, the strength of this piece lies in its simplicity and the warm, four-part harmony of the refrain. A cantor or small group typically leads the verses while the rest of the choir and congregation sustain the refrain, creating a profound sense of reverence and shared prayer in the church.