Host

Host (Lat. hostile., a victim), the consecrated bread used in the Roman Catholic Church in the celebration of the Eucharist, so called because in the doctrine of that church this sacrament repeats the sacrifice of the crucifixion. It consists of a thin wafer of unleavened bread, on which is imprinted a lamb or some other emblem. According to the judgment given in the Purchas case (1871) the use of the wafer is prohibited in the Church of England. The elevation of the Host takes place when the priest, after consecrating the bread, raises it above his head with both hands, that the body of Christ may be seen and worshipped by the whole congregation.