Grade 6, Chapter 15


The Gift of Bread

Everyone knows that at the Last Supper, bread was the food Jesus chose to consecrate and offer to his disciples. Bread is one of humanity's oldest foods. Here is a list of some of the world's breads and the countries where they are popular.

  • France
    Long, thin loaves of white bread known as baguettes. The French people go every day to the bakery for a fresh baguette.
  • Italy
    Crusty, wide loaf of white bread known as Italian bread. Sometimes Italians dip this bread into olive oil and seasonings.
  • Middle Eastern Countries
    A flat bread with little or no yeast called pita. Sometimes pita bread is served with a dip called hummus. Often a morsel of pita is used instead of a fork or spoon to scoop up stew from a common bowl.
  • Israel
    Braided bread with a shiny crust, made with sugar and lots of eggs called challah. This bread is eaten on the Sabbath and on other holy days.
  • Ireland
    A round, white loaf of bread sweetened with raisins is called Irish soda bread. This bread is often served with tea in the late afternoon.
  • Korea
    A loaf of bread made with soybean flour to which red pepper powder might be added.
  • Ethiopia
    A bread pancake called injera is made from a grain called teff that is harvested from savanna grasses.
  • India
    Chewy bread rounds made in a frying pan called chapattis.
  • Latin America Countries
    Flat, round, thin breads called tortillas are made with corn or wheat and are either baked or fried.
In each of these countries, offering bread at a meal is a sign of hospitality. While the bread nourishes our bodies, the hospitality feeds our spirits.

Invite your family to join you in making a loaf of bread. You may want to make the bread from scratch by hand or you may choose to use a bread machine. When your loaf of bread is ready, serve it at a meal. Talk with your family members about what makes bread a special blessing in your life.