Why not say Grace before and after meals?

Saying Grace before meals is a firm Catholic tradition, but if your family has never done this, or has fallen out of the habit of it, now is a good time to start, suggests Marriage & Family Life Co-ordinator, Antonia Braithwaite, in her Faith in the Home column.

Food on the table, let’s dig in!

We can have a tendency to assume that the good things in our life are the result of our own efforts, and we forget that all the things that allow us to put food on the table, such as our talents and opportunities and good health, are all gifts from God as well.

The word “grace” refers to a very short prayer of thanksgiving offered before a meal, and sometimes afterwards as well.

Praying before meals is a firm Catholic tradition, but if your family has never done this, or has fallen out of the habit of it, now is a good time to start!

Pausing for just a moment before we eat, and raising our hearts and minds to God is a simple, but powerful, act.  We acknowledge that we have the food before us thanks to His love and we remind ourselves that it is He who provides for our daily needs and we express our gratitude for these blessings.

Many families pray the following grace before meals, which has ancient Catholic origins, originating from the Gelasian Sacramentary in the 8^th century;

In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Bless us, O Lord,
and these thy gifts
which we are about to receive from thy bounty.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen

In the past many Catholics regularly prayed a Grace prayer after meals as well. Although this is not common these days, it is a practice well worth revising.

While the Grace before meals asks God for His blessing, Grace after meals is a prayer of thanksgiving for all of the good things that God has given us, as well as a prayer of intercession for those who have helped us and an opportunity to call to mind all those who have died and to pray for their souls.

The traditional phrasing for a Catholic Grace after meals prayer: 

We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all thy benefits, Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to reward with eternal life, all those who do us good for Thy name’s sake. Amen.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Comments