Catholic Activity: St. John's Wine

Drinking blessed wine for the love of St. John is an old Catholic devotion.

DIRECTIONS

In some churches, after the convent or parochial Mass, wine is blessed in honor of St. John (see the Roman Ritual, English translation The Book of Blessings, Blessing of Food or Drink or Other Elements Connected with Devotion). If the custom is not held in your church, the pastor would probably be happy to bless a bottle for you.

The wine is served in the home before the main meal. The father lifts the cup toward the mother and says: "I drink you the love of St. John." And she answers, "I thank you for the love of St. John."

Then the mother turns to the eldest child and says, "I drink you the love of St. John." The ceremony continues from one to another including any guests and servants. This practice takes its origin from the fact that St. John was the apostle of love, and in the legend that at one time poisoned wine did not affect him.

Activity Source: How to Make Your House a Home by Rev. Bernard Stokes, O.F.M., Family Life Bureau, Washington D.C., 1955