Some religious traditions shun alcohol. Others savor it. Catholicism is one of the latter. Like so many things on this side of heaven, the Catechism tells us that a tasty drink is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet to come! Wine appears not only in Christ’s public ministry but in His most sacred act: the institution of the Eucharist. Throughout the centuries, Catholics have embraced alcohol as a gift from God—something to be received with gratitude, enjoyed in moderation, and shared in community. Think of Benedictine monks brewing beer, Trappists perfecting ales, and families toasting over Sunday dinner. In the Catholic imagination, alcohol is not merely a drink—it’s a symbol of joy, communion, and celebration.
Recently we asked Dr. Michael Foley—professor of theology, father of six, and author of the bestselling book, “Drinking with the Saints”—to share his wisdom on what healthy drinking looks like. Dr. Foley has become a trusted voice on the intersection of faith, festivity, and formation, offering a uniquely Catholic view on how to enjoy the fruit of the vine with reverence and delight. He gave us five principles, followed by four tips for raising children who carry forward the Catholic tradition.
Listen to the author's commentary on our podcast.
Five Ways to Drink Like a Saint
1. Drink Moderately:
To drink moderately does not mean drinking unenthusiastically but rather drinking the right amount with clear intention. In this sense, moderation is like aiming for a bullseye. One does not simply try to avoid the edges of the target—one aims for the center. To drink well is not merely to avoid drunkenness, but to pursue the mental and social state that best suits the occasion. It’s about drinking with purpose, clarity, and self-mastery. Put simply: moderation is not boring; it’s beautiful. It is the virtue that allows us to fully enjoy good things without becoming enslaved by them.
2. Drink with Gratitude:
G.K. Chesterton once wrote that we honor God for the gift of wine by not drinking too much of it. Whenever we approach something with gratitude, we receive it differently. We savor, we pause, we offer thanks. Alcohol, like food, should be approached with a spirit of thanksgiving. When we drink with gratitude, we honor both the Giver and the gift.
3. Drink with Memory:
This principle should resonate deeply with Catholics. After all, the Eucharist is a memorial meal—“Do this in memory of me.” Healthy drinking is rooted in memory. We drink to remember: to mark a milestone, honor a loved one, celebrate a feast. Unhealthy drinking, by contrast, is often an attempt to forget—forget pain, stress, or responsibility. Drinking to remember binds us to our story; drinking to forget breaks us from it.
4. Drink with Merriment:
What does it mean to be merry? There’s a difference between merriment and mere fun. Fun can be had alone—playing a video game, watching a show. Merriment is relational. It involves festivity, laughter, clinking glasses, and warm conversation. It means coming together, delighting in one another’s company, and lifting spirits—literally and figuratively. In a lonely age, Catholic merriment is a countercultural witness: joy rooted in community, not consumption.
5. Drink with Ritual:
Some critics think ritual kills joy. But Catholics know better: ritual focuses joy, enriches it, and gives it shape. Ritual doesn’t stifle passion—it channels it. A simple toast can elevate an ordinary moment into a memorable one. Whether it’s a family tradition, a feast day cocktail, or the way a father makes a toast at Sunday dinner, adding a bit of ritual brings intentionality to the party. Drinking with ritual reminds us that even everyday pleasures can be ordered toward holiness.
With these principles in mind, we asked Dr. Foley for practical advice on how Catholic fathers can raise kids with a healthy understanding of alcohol. As a nationally recognized expert on the subject—and as a father himself—his insights are rooted both in theology and personal experience.
Five Ways to Drink Like a Saint
1. Model Good Drinking:
The iron law of parenting is simple: you can’t give what you don’t have. If you want your children to have a healthy relationship with alcohol, they need to see it lived out in you. That means avoiding excess, drinking with gratitude and joy, and showing that alcohol is a complement to life, not a substitute for it.
2. Introduce Alcohol in the Home:
Did you know that Orthodox Jews—who introduce their children to alcohol early and often—have some of the lowest alcoholism rates in the world? Why? Because alcohol isn’t a forbidden fruit; it’s a normal part of a family celebration. When children learn about alcohol under the loving eye of their parents, they’re far less likely to experiment recklessly later.
3. Make Your Kids Snobs:
That’s right—teach them to be picky! Or, better stated, given them a discerning palate. Kids who appreciate a finely crafted cocktail or a well-aged wine are less likely to chug cheap beer in a basement. Fostering good taste isn’t about elitism; it’s about formation. If we teach our children to value quality over quantity, they’ll be less likely to abuse the gift.
4. Don’t Despair:
Mistakes will happen. Your kids may misuse alcohol at some point. Don’t panic. Stay in the fight. Parenting is a long game, and grace works over time. What matters most is your presence, your patience, and your prayers. Keep modeling the truth, even when it feels like they’re not listening.
Alcohol, like all of God’s gifts, is meant to be received with joy, used with wisdom, and shared in love. As Catholic fathers, we have a unique opportunity to shape how the next generation understands and uses this gift. By drinking like saints—moderately, gratefully, memorably, merrily, and ritually—we not only enjoy the fruit of the vine, but also point our children toward the true Vine, who turns water into wine and fills our cups to overflowing.
Prompts for Discussion
1. Which of Dr. Foley’s 5 points did you find most insightful?
2. Do you think that you personally have a healthy relationship with alcohol? Where do you fall short?
3. Would your friends say that you appreciate a good drink? Would your kids?
4. Do you feel comfortable introducing your kids to alcohol? If not, who in your life could give you some pointers?
5. Just to make sure that we take the offensive, what can you do to elevate your children’s taste in alcohol?
Michael Moynihan
Michael Moynihan resides in Rockville, MD with his wife, Angela, and their eleven children. He is the Head of the Upper School at The Heights School, an independent day school for boys in 3rd to 12th grade. In his free time, Michael enjoys family excursions, reading stories with his children, hiking, and camping. He has authored three books on parenting available through Scepter publishers. He is featured in the first FORGE online course, “Fathers and Sons: Conversations on Sex Ed, Marriage, and Masculinity.”