| abstract | - In Roman Catholic liturgy, mustum is grape juice that is only minimally fermented, for use in place of sacramental wine. It is precisely defined as "grape juice that is either fresh or preserved by methods that suspend its fermentation without altering its nature (for example, freezing)," and it excludes pasteurized grape juice. The Church has declared mustum to be valid matter for the celebration of the Eucharist. This teaching goes back at least to the time of Pope Julius I (337-352), who is quoted in Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica as having declared that in case of necessity, but only then, juice pressed from a grape could be used. Aquinas himself declared: Must has already the species of wine, for its sweetness ["Aut dulcis musti Vulcano decoquit humorem"; Virgil, Georg. i, 295] indicates fermentation which is "the result of its natural heat" (Meteor. iv); consequently this sacrament can be made from must. ... It is forbidden to offer must in the chalice, as soon as it has been squeezed from the grape, since this is unbecoming owing to the impurity of the must. But in case of necessity it may be done: for it is said by the same Pope Julius, in the passage quoted in the argument: "If necessary, let the grape be pressed into the chalice."
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