Behold, the Official Catholic Blessing for Beer

ChurchPop ^ | Unknown | Editor

[BlessedBeGod]

Did you know the Catholic Church has an official blessing for beer?

In the 1964 edition of the Rituale Romanum, one of the Church’s official books of rituals, there is a section with “Blessings of things designated for ordinary use.”

Among the many rituals listed, you can find special blessings for pastries, medicine, cheese, fire, seeds, airplanes, and more – including beer.

Why bless beer? Because it is a part of God’s good creation and a wonderful gift for human enjoyment!

Ever since Jesus turned water into wine at the marriage at Cana (John 2), the Catholic Church has supported the enjoyment of alcohol – as long as it is done responsibly with moderation.

Here’s the blessing for beer:

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
P: Let us pray.
Lord, bless + this creature, beer, which by your kindness and power has been produced from kernels of grain, and let it be a healthful drink for mankind. Grant that whoever drinks it with thanksgiving to your holy name may find it a help in body and in soul; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

It is sprinkled with holy water.

[BlessedBeGod]

My father was sixth-generation brew master. But then he was Lutheran, so he missed all this fun. ;-)

[BlessedBeGod]

[mlizzy]

And for those who did not know:

St. Cronan of Roscrea, was famous as a founder of monasteries, given credit for establishing close to fifty of them during his lifetime of nearly one hundred years. Along with St. Brigid, Cronan is credited with an "Irish miracle of Cana" -- in other words, turning water into beer during an Irish wedding celebration. Unlike Brigid, whose gallons were rather modest, Cronan figured better safe than sorry, and turned so much water into suds "that nearly all the guests became inebriated." While it is not recorded if the bride and groom named their first child after him, it is for obvious reasons that Cronan became known (at least in Ireland) as the patron saint of hospitality... -from Tom O'Toole

http://www.fightingirishthomas.com/2007/02/great-scotus-trio-of-irish-saints-to.html

[Larry Lucido]

Does the Holy Water come from The Land Of Sky-Blue Water?

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

An interesting origin story for Lenten beer. German monks today still make Lenten beer, which is very high in calories and also has a high level of alcohol. However, they were uncertain if they should consume it during the fasting days of Lent, since it was so tasty.

Being unable to divine an answer on their own, they decided to transport a case of their beer to Rome, to get an official verdict as to its grace or lack thereof.

The preferred drink in Rome was of course wine, and then had for the most part never even tasted beer, much less Lenten beer. So to their palates it was revolting, repugnant, and even disgusting.

So they not only approved its use for Lent, they remarked that the Germans should be credited for consuming such a noxious drink, as being something pious penitents would do.

Of course I cannot attest to the historical accuracy of this tale, but it does make a fine story. From my own experience, my only caution of Lenten beer is that a consumer should be careful, lest their legs temporarily disappear.

[eastsider]

Lord, bless + this creature, beer, which by your kindness and power has been produced from kernels of grain, and let it be a healthful drink for mankind. Grant that whoever drinks it with thanksgiving to your holy name may find it a help in body and in soul; through Christ our Lord.

AMEN!

[P.O.E.]

[nobamanomore]

A large portion of the best beer, as well as the prime vineyards in Europe were associated with Monasteries. I am sitting here now, with a glass of white wine, as Jesus did, enjoying wine with a meal.