Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Benedictio Cerevisae

MN: Beer Blessing in Latin
By Michael Novak
Tuesday, August 1, 2006, 3:46 PM
Beer Blessing
From the Rituale Romanum (no 58)
Bene+dic, Domine, creaturam istam cerevisae, quam ex adipe frumenti producere dignatus es: ut sit remedium salutare humano generi: et praesta per invocationem nominis tui sancti, ut, quicumque ex ea biberint, sanitatem corporis, et animae tutelam percipiant. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen
Bless, O Lord, this creature beer, that Thou hast been pleased to bring forth from the sweetness of the grain: that it might be a salutary remedy for the human race: and grant by the invocation of Thy holy name, that, whosoever drinks of it may obtain health of body and a sure safeguard for the soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Translation by Fr. Ephraem Chifley, O.P.)
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added 28 January 2012, full entry
V. Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini.
R. Qui fecit caelum et terram.
V. Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus.

Bene+dic, Domine, creaturam istam cerevisiae, quam ex adipe frumenti producere dignatus es: ut sit remedium salutare humano generi, et praesta per invocationem nominis tui sancti; ut, quicumque ex ea biberint, sanitatem corpus et animae tutelam percipiant. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.


Translation from XI.9.5 of Weller’s edition:

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.

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.
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Cf. also this BBC article.

4 comments:

Greg Graham said...

I sent a link to this post to a coworker of mine, who responded with a link to his Yahoo discussion group page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TCBS/

I seem to make friends with similar people.

Warren said...

Now THAT's my kind of Sacramental.

W

St. Izzy said...

I especially like that this is an official Catholic prayer, right from the Rituale Romanum.

St. Izzy said...

Mattheus wants us to start celebrating the feast day of St. Arnold of Soissons (July 8).

I wonder if alternative beverages could be employed. I keep thinking about the bit from near the end of Aelfric's Colloquy (10th c. British monastic setting). The brother is questioning the boys, they've just talked about food and are about to talk about the dormitories. And what's the transition from table to unconsciousness?

Q Et quid bibis?
R Cervisam, si habeo, vel aquam si non habeo cervisam.
Q Nonne bibis vinum?
R Non sum tam dives ut possim emere mihi vinum; et vinum non est potus puerorum sive stultorum, sed senum et sapientium.


Q And what do you drink?
R Beer, if I have it, or water if I don't have beer.
Q Don't you drink wine?
R I'm not so wealthy that I can buy myself wine; and wine is not a drink for children or fools, but for elders and the wise.


No word on scotch whiskey, though.