THE EVER LIVING BREAD (Communion Hymn)

When the choir loft quiets down and the congregation approaches the altar, "The Ever Living Bread" offers a deeply reflective meditation for Communion. Composed by Rev. Fr. Uchechi B. Okea, this piece draws us immediately into the mystery of the Eucharist. The opening chorus is a gentle plea, asking Christ to place a continuous longing in our hearts for the sacrament that brings eternal life.

The verses walk us through the profound truths of the Mass. We start at the Last Supper, remembering the "everlasting meal" left to us on the eve of the Lord's passion. From there, the hymn shifts to our own unworthiness, echoing the centurion's prayer we say right before receiving: "but only say Your word and my soul shall be healed." It is a natural progression from the historical gift of the bread and wine to our personal, humble reception of it.

Musically, the arrangement is serene and unhurried, giving the voices space to breathe and reflect. The final verse turns our eyes toward the ultimate promise of the Eucharist—that this heavenly food might bring us "unending joy in heaven with Your saints." It is a prayerful choice for the Communion procession, leaving the church in a state of quiet gratitude.