Cheers to St. John!

January 3, 2020

On December 27 (the feast day of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist) the Alcuin Institute hosted its first annual St. John's Day Celebration. This particular celebration has very ancient roots, but for the most part has been utterly forgotten. And since we are in the 'business' of restoring old things, we though it most fitting to breath life back into this most noble practice.

The tradition originates from the legend that the 'Beloved Disciple' (St. John) once partook of a glass of poisoned wine, but was not harmed, on account of the Providential blessing that he gave it. Ever since, Catholics throughout Christendom would bring their bottles and barrels of vino to the Church on the feast day of St. John to have their wine solemnly blessed.
The blessed wine would then be drunk by the family for protection against poisoning and the promise of good health.
Our own celebration included Mass, followed by the blessing of the wine by Fr. David Carvajal (no barrels were brought forth), and it concluded with a fine spread of food and drink and much merry making.
Join us next year or come by one of our events...we may be serving some blessed wine!