November 20, 2009
 
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| The Lost Art of Catholic Drinking |
| by Sean P. Dailey |
| 10/10/07 |
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There is Protestant drinking and there is Catholic drinking, and the difference is more than mere quantity. I have no scientific data to back up my claims, nor have I completed any formal studies. But I have done a good bit of, shall we say, informal study, which for a hypothesis like this is probably the best kind. To begin with, what is Catholic drinking? It's hard to pin down, but here's a historical example. St. Arnold (580-640), also known as St. Arnulf of Metz, was a seventh-century bishop of Metz, in what later became France. Much beloved by the people, St. Arnold is said to have preached against drinking water, which in those days could be extremely dangerous owing to unsanitary sewage systems -- or no sewage system at all. At the same time, he frequently touted the benefits of beer and is credited with having once said, "From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world."
Wise words, and St. Arnold's flock took them to heart. After his death, the good bishop was buried at a monastery near Remiremont, France, where he had retired. However, his flock missed him and wanted him back, so in 641, having gotten approval to exhume St. Arnold's remains, they carried him in procession back to Metz for reburial in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles. Along the way, it being a hot day, they got thirsty and stopped at an inn for some beer. Unfortunately, the inn had just enough left for a single mug; the processionals would have to share. As the tale goes, the mug did not run dry until all the people had drunk their fill.
Now, I'm not saying that Catholic drinking involves miracles, or that a miracle should occur every time people get together to imbibe. But good beer -- or good wine for that matter -- is a small miracle in itself, being a gift from God to His creatures, whom He loves. And as G. K. Chesterton wrote in Orthodoxy, "We should thank God for beer and burgundy by not drinking too much of them." In other words, we show our gratitude to God for wine and beer by enjoying these things, in good cheer and warm company, but not enjoying them to excess.
Just what constitutes excess is for each person to judge for himself, I suppose. However, we now approach the main difference between Catholic drinking and Protestant drinking. Protestant drinking occurs at one extreme or another: either way too much or none at all, with each being a reaction to the other. Some people, rightly fed up with the smug self-righteousness of teetotalers, drink to excess. And teetotalers, rightly appalled at the habits of habitual drunkards, practice strict abstinence. It seems to occur to neither side that their reaction is just that: a reaction, and not a solution. If they considered it a bit, they might see a third way that involves neither drunkenness nor abstinence, yet is consistent with healthy, honest, humane Christian living.
Here we encounter Catholic drinking. Catholic drinking is that third way, the way to engage in an ancient activity enjoyed by everyone from peasants to emperors to Jesus Himself. And again, it is not just about quantity. In fact, I think the chief element is conviviality. When friends get together for a drink, it may be to celebrate, or it may be to mourn. But it should always be to enjoy one another's company. (Yes, there is a time and place for a solitary beer, but that is the exception.)
For example: The lectures at the annual Chesterton conference are themselves no more important than the attendees later discussing those same lectures over beer and wine (we tend to adhere to Hilaire Belloc's rule of thumb, which is to avoid alcoholic beverages developed after the Reformation). These gatherings occur between talks, during talks -- indeed, long into the night -- and we typically fall into bed pleasantly stewed. I cannot imagine a Chesterton conference without this. And yet I also know how detrimental it would be if we all stumbled back to our rooms roaring drunk.
Avoid each extreme -- that's how you drink like a Catholic. This is the art of Catholic drinking. There are plenty of our brethren who consider drinking somehow immoral, and there are plenty of others who think drinking must end with great intoxication. But the balanced approach -- the Catholic approach -- means having a good time, a good laugh, sometime a good cry, but always with joy and gratitude for God's generosity in giving us such wonders as beer and burgundy. Remember that, and the lost art of Catholic drinking may not remain lost.
Sean P. Dailey is the editor-in-chief of Gilbert Magazine and blogmeister of The Blue Boar. Readers have left 10 comments. Nicely put. Going to a Protestant high school and then Catholic college, I have friends that fall into all of the above categories. The example of the Chesterson conferences is so true; first of all on the point of discussion being as important as lecture and secondly on the point of the importance of moderation.  Written by Alissa Jean This is indeed an "informal study" and it shows. How can this be even close to formal when the bible is not even considered? Isn't this the instruction manual to your faith? "good beer -- or good wine for that matter -- is a small miracle in itself, being a gift from God to His creatures." Unless there is a contextual bible verse that can prove this statement true, this "study" is hardly convincing. There's so much more about this that makes my head spin but i'm trying the more light than heat thingy... so can someone tell me how quoting some random archbishop on his love for alcohol actually means that God says it is ok? After all this person is but a man and and all men are sinners... the bible is the word of God... what does it have to say? Written by jon To the previous poster - there is biblical evidence , Christ himself drank wine and it was even his first miracle to make wine! The Archbishop maybe a mere man, but he is also a saint and amongst God. The miracle story was just a cute little anecdote, but don't use it as an opportunity to brush off one of God's holy saints! Written by Bolek To the second poster:- As Catholics we do not believe in Sola Scriptura (the belief that scripture alone is enough)and so we do not need a specific bible passage. We follow tradition and the teachings of the Church fathers, Saints and Popes throughout history. and there is biblical evidence, as already mentioned. If Jesus, his mother and the apostles drank, why shouldn't we?! Written by Stuart M The question about drinking--God created the disease of alcoholism or did man by his over indulgence. God gave us a free will but yet we are told God's will be done not mine. Do we trust God enough to let our children drink to over indulgence? Does that make us teetotalers or does it mean we are to set good examples for our children? Yes, we Catholics get together and have parties and spirits to celebrate births, deaths, weddings and even graduations. It is the coming together of family usually. I am in a funny place right now. I am questioning my belief in the Catholic Church and it being the only true church. All the people of the earth will not find salvation unless they become Catholics. Does God hate people who are not Catholics??? Or do we because we have no tolerance because of what we are taught? Written by Terrkate shh! With your heresies... Literalism is a misunderstanding of our participation in the Divine Mystery of imbibing. Wine and Guinness is just another form of intoxication and elation of our spiritual humility revaluation and insightful self examination of the Divine mystery of the fledgling and aged initiate. That is, even the accompanying pretzel was devise by Catholic monks,during the Middle Ages. The three loops in it’s design represents the Holy Trinity. This is true. Anybody for another round ? Here’s looking at us! Ah...Got pretzels? Written by Diogenes Written to TerrKate, who is questioning the faith: Just remember that God doesn't send people to hell because He's mean and sadistic. He sends them to hell because they hate Him and rebel against Him in their actions and intentions. He loves us and gives us every opportunity to requite that love by following Him, but instead we spit in his face and crucify Him over and over. "And why not?" we rationalize, "everybody else is doing it and they can't all be going to hell." Well, if they keep it up, they will be, but that's not your concern anyway--you're only job is to save YOUR soul. The miracle of our Catholic faith is that God Himself gave us these Truths (Divine Revelation) so that we could accept them and live by them and be happy forever. He gave us a Church hierarchy to pass them on to every generation. So trust your catechism and don't worry so much about that empty slogan, "tolerance." Believe the truths proposed by Holy Mother Church and show that you believe it by actually living it. Written by Charlie Jesus sent us His Holy Spirit (The Consoler). The Holy Spirit gives us self-control. We are temples of The Holy Spirit. "Everybody is doing it" comes from moral relativism, a dimension of our contemporary spiritual warfare. The daily hour of power (Holy Hour/Eucharistic Adoration) used by J.P.II is artillery in the divine arsenal. Thirty days of the rosary, during the hour with the Blessed Sacrament exposed, has the power to overcome addiction. Written by Christine Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. When the Catholic tradition of drinking beer leads to debauchery there is a problem which I believe is sin. The question is then, are you allowing that sin to be an acceptable pleasure in your life? Look at the history of the Catholic church... what I see is debauchery among drinking men even when women are not present at all which leads to sexual immorality as well as a host of other sins. Unfortunately for drinkers even "Catholic drinkers", scripture is God breathed and teaches us a whole lot more than any charlatan can offer in the way of itchy ears being gently scratched. For true Christ exhaltation, we use and rely on scripture and the Lord to ultimately sanctify and save us. It may be fine to have a few beers, but is it helpful? Are you leading anyone anywhere beneficial with your Catholic drinking, or are you actually tempting those who struggle to fall again into drunkeness. See if it pasts this test: 1 COR 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Written by Timothy "Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more." Proverbs 31:6-7 Everything God made is good. Written by Adam |
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