CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Early Symbols of the Eucharist The earliest and always the favourite symbol of the Eucharist in the monuments was that inspired by the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes; the banquet of the seven Disciples appears only in one (second-century) catacomb scene; the miracle of Cana in two, one of which is of the early third, the other of the fourth, century with alwaysearliesteucharistfavouriteinspiredmonumentssymbolunsorted