Prayers

Blessing before and after meals

Christians, whether alone or with companions at table, say grace before and after meals to thank God for his goodness in providing their daily food. This practice is also a reminder that the Lord Jesus combined the sacrament of the eucharist with the ritual of a family meal and showed himself to his disciples as their risen Lord in the breaking of the bread.

As they gather at table and see in the food they share a sign of God's blessings on them, Christians should be mindful of the poor, who lack even the bare minimum of food that those at table may have in abundance. By their moderation they will therefore try to provide help for the hungry and as a sign of Christ's love will on occasion invite the poor to their own table, in keeping with the words of Christ recorded in the Gospel (see Luke 14:13-14).

The plans, texts, and formularies provided in the present chapter are to be regarded as models for the use of families or of any type of community. But the blessing at table should be given a tone that is in keeping with the festive or penitential character of the various days and seasons of the liturgical year.

BEFORE THE PRINCIPAL MEAL

The person who is presiding at table says:

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

All make the sign of the cross and reply: Amen.

Then:

The eyes of all creatures look to you
to give them food in due time.

R. You give it to them, they gather it up;
you open your hand, they have their fill.

Let us call on the name of the Father, who always takes care of his children.

All:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

The one presiding then signs himself or herself with the sign of the cross (a priest or a deacon also makes the sign of the cross over the food) and says:

Bless + us, O Lord,
and these your gifts
which we are about to receive from your goodness.
Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

AFTER THE PRINCIPAL MEAL

Let all your works praise you, O Lord.
R. Let all your people bless you.

We give you thanks for all your gifts, almighty God,
living and reigning now and for ever. R. Amen.

For the sake of your name, O Lord,
reward those who have, been good to us
and give them eternal life. R. Amen.

Or:

Lord,
give all people the food they need,
so that they may join us in giving you thanks. R. Amen.

BEFORE A LIGHT MEAL

The person who is presiding at table says:

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

All make the sign of the cross and reply: Amen.

Then:

The poor shall eat and have their fill.
Those who long for the Lord shall give him praise.
R. May their hearts live for ever.

Let us call on the name of the Lord, who gives us our daily bread.

All: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Protect us, O Lord our God,
and give us the help we need in our frailty.
Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

AFTER A LIGHT MEAL

Our compassionate Lord has left us
a memorial of his wonderful works.
R. He has given food to those who fear him.

Lord,
you have fed us from your gifts and favors;
fill us with your mercy,
for you live and reign for ever and ever. R. Amen.

Or:

God is blessed in all his gifts
and holy in all his works,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. R. Amen.


For the sake of your name, O Lord,
reward those who have, been good to us
and give them eternal life. R. Amen.

Or:

Lord,
give all people the food they need,
so that they may join us in giving you thanks. R. Amen.

The foregoing manner of blessing before and after meals is for use in any liturgical season, except on the days indicated here; even on such days only the verses are changed.

ADVENT

BEFORE MEALS

Give ear, O Lord and shepherd of your people.
R. Stir up your power and come.

AFTER MEALS

Let us live soberly, justly, and devoutly in this world.
R. As we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

CHRISTMAS SEASON

BEFORE MEALS

The Word became flesh, alleluia.
R. And dwelt among us, alleluia.

AFTER MEALS

The Lord has made known, alleluia.
R. His saving power, alleluia.

LENT

BEFORE MEALS

No one lives on bread alone.
R. But on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

AFTER MEALS

A time of penance has been granted us.
R. To atone for our sins and heal our souls.

HOLY THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY SATURDAY

BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS

For our sake Christ was obedient, accepting even death.
R. Death on a cross.

EASTER WEEK

BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS

This is the day the Lord has made, alleluia.
R. Let us rejoice and be glad, alleluia.

EASTER SEASON

BEFORE MEALS

With glad and generous hearts all who believed took their meals in common, alleluia.
R. Praising God, alleluia.

AFTER MEALS

The disciples recognized the Lord, alleluia.
R. In the breaking of the bread, alleluia

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