As my sabbatical journey approached its penultimate finale, I found myself at the home of Jesse and Carlos, the stewards of the Slow Food Family Farm. Their idyllic family farm is a testament to self-sufficiency, producing all their own food, power, and water. Here, they live in harmony with the land, understanding its vital role in sustaining life.

Our visit was more than a mere stay; it was an immersion into traditions as old as the Sicilian soil itself. We tilled the land, gathered ingredients, milled wheat, and crafted a meal from scratch. Amidst this rich tapestry of activities, we collided with an ancient tradition that left a profound impression on me: the role of the toastmaster.

In Sicilian culture, the toastmaster is akin to the master of ceremonies at a meal. This role is not just about raising glasses but about infusing the gathering with meaning through three pivotal toasts. These toasts encapsulate the essence of the meal, the gathering, and the culture.

The first toast, offered at the beginning of the meal, is a prayerful expression of gratitude for the earth and its fruits. It is a moment rich in thankfulness to God for all that we have. The toastmaster leads this with a reverence that sets a tone of deep appreciation for the bounty before us.

The second toast, preceding the meat course, is a poignant tribute to those we love but see no longer. Accompanied by a traditional Sicilian song, this toast honors the ancestors who worked the land, passed down traditions, and demonstrated love in both perfect and imperfect ways. It’s a beautiful acknowledgment of the lineage and labor that have brought us to this moment.

The final toast, given at dessert, is a call for peace. It is a gentle reminder of the ultimate goal of all our endeavors and a heartfelt wish for harmony in our lives and communities. Simply put, we paused and prayed for peace within ourselves and to be a conduit of that peace in the world. 

As I reflect on the role of the toastmaster, I see a striking resemblance to the Celebrant in our Eucharist service. The Celebrant, who is a priest or Bishop, like the toastmaster, is called to serve, celebrate, and illuminate traditions while pointing the community forward. Both roles involve using the past and tradition as a foundation, not an anchor, to guide us into the future.

The art of the toastmaster, much like the role of the Celebrant, is about more than tradition for tradition's sake. It is about using these rituals to connect us with our roots, enrich our present, and inspire our future. In the days to come, I will be posting more about this incredible experience, but for now, let us raise a virtual glass to the toastmasters of the world. They remind us that tradition is not a relic of the past but a vibrant, living conduit to the future.

So, let’s raise a glass to the bonds and connections that unite us as people and use that to be beacons of love in our world.  

Cheers to the past, the present, and the future!