The general communion customary on holy-thursday is
prescribed by the English bishop Walter in the 10th century, in the
capitulary of Theodulph of Orleans, and by all ancient pontificals and
missals, according to Martene T. 3, p. 98. It is practised also by the
Greeks, as Leo Allatius testifies. De consensu utriusque Ecclesiae lib.
3. Palmer (Vol. 2. p. 76) says "It is not essential to the validity
of the Sacrament, that the bread should be whole and entire before
consecration, and broken afterwards: but the Universal practice of
the Christian church, derived from the apostles and from Jesus Christ
himself ought not to be infringed in this matter". Yet even Bp.
Middleton whom he quotes in the same page, says "When there were
many communicants, _in primitive times, there were several cakes or
loaves_, in proportion to the number: and it took some time after the
consecration was finished, to break and divide them for distribution".
Each person communicated from his own offering: hence S. Augustine
says "Erubescere debet homo idoneus si de aliena oblatione
communicaverit" Serm. 215 de Temp, any longer justification of the
general practice of the Roman church would therefore be superfluous.]
[Footnote 61: "From the frequent mention of _oil_ in scripture as the
emblem of spiritual gifts it was actually used in the primitive church
in the ceremonies of admitting catechumens, and in baptising".
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