Did you know that 9 September is International Buy a Priest a Beer Day? On this festive day, faithful church members all over the world (should) take their priest/pastor out for a beer (or a non-alcoholic alternative) on this auspicious occasion and get to know them better!

‘Buy a Priest a Beer Day’ is a Catholic tradition that goes back to the time of Saint Hopswald of Aleyard – the first man to take his priest out for a beer.

The legend goes that Saint Hopswald, a master brewer by trade, was a Teutonic pagan who was converted and baptized by a zealous Catholic priest. One day, Saint. Hopswald committed a grievous sin. Without wasting a moment, he ran quickly to his priest and confessed. Later that day, as he was particularly enjoying the peace of a clean conscience, Saint. Hopswald was so filled with gratitude for his priest’s sacramental ministry that he rushed to the rectory and offered to buy his priest a beer.

Okay, if you’re getting suspicious by now, there’s a good reason. ‘Buy a Priest a Beer Day’ is not a real holiday. But I would argue that it should be!

Believe it or not, priests/pastors are real people and they enjoy socializing over good meal as much as anyone. They also have a thankless and difficult job – a job that we couldn’t get to heaven without. Priests/pastors are the lifeblood of the Church, and they deserve some appreciation.

So, with that in mind, I would encourage you to do something concrete to show appreciation to your priest/pastor in the coming weeks. Yes, it could be taking them out for a beer (or a non-alcoholic alternative) or it could be inviting them (and their wife/husband) over to share dinner with your family. Be creative if you want, but give back to your priest/pastor in some way and let them know their ministry is making a difference.

Of course, your priest/pastor may be insanely busy and unable to schedule a time for a lengthier visit. So some suggested alternative ideas include:

  • Leaving a 6 pack or a bottle of wine (or a non-alcoholic alternative) on their doorstep!
  • Giving your priest/pastor a ‘thank you’ card after a church service.
  • Baking and delivering a cake, scones or biscuits.
  • Preparing a healthy meal for them.
  • Treating them to something you know they would appreciate.
  • Organising a video to be made with church members thanking your priest/pastor for a specific thing and then uploading the video to YouTube or Facebook.
  • Praying for your priest/pastor and letting them know that you are doing so.

Here’s a prayer you could use!

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priest/pastor.
Through them, we experience your presence in word and sacrament.

Help our priest/pastor to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.

Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.

Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.

Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.

Amen.

I fully expect there to be a lot of happy, encouraged priests/pastors over the coming weeks.

And finally, if you are a priest/pastor reading this, know that you are loved, and valued, by the community you serve – even if they forget to tell you from time to time!

And have the tipple of your choice on me!

May I politely suggest that this is meant to be a ‘fun’ article and that I’m not advocating drinking alcohol as a pastime as I know many people suffer from alcohol related illnesses (I rarely drink myself – my tipple of choice at the moment, in a hot and humid Cyprus, is a sweet iced latte!). I was also very intentional to offer alternative ways to bless your priest/pastor – but perhaps some have read the headline and not the article!