Lammas or ‘Loaf-mass’ (derived from the Anglo-Saxon Hlafmaesse) is an English feast in origin, held on 1st August as a thanksgiving for the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. Traditionally, a newly baked loaf from the wheat harvest was presented before God within the mass of that day. While the ceremony ceased at the Reformation, reference to Lammas Day continued in the Prayer Book calendar, and the practice has been revived in some places in more recent years. The tradition of giving thanks for the firstfruits need not be limited to 1st August, and churches are at liberty to decide when to hold such a celebration.
The Lammas loaf should ideally be baked by members of the congregation, using local produce wherever possible.
Part of the Lammas loaf may be used as the eucharistic bread on this occasion.