Ethan Walker
Blessing food before eating is a common practice in the Catholic tradition. Known as 'saying grace', this practice involves reciting a short prayer to thank God for the food and ask for a blessing. One common prayer is: Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Another is: Bless, O Lord, the food before us, and bless the hands that made it. Pope Francis has encouraged all believers to return to this custom, which is derived from the Bible, where Jesus and Saint Paul pray before meals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tone | Thankful, praising, hopeful |
| Addressee | Lord, God, Jesus, Christ, Father, Holy Spirit |
| Requests | Bless the food, bless those eating, provide for the hungry, grant health and safety, bestow peace, grant access to the heavenly kingdom, strengthen virtue, increase love, build the kingdom of God, etc. |
| Gesture | Sign of the Cross over the food with the right hand |
| Timing | Before or after meals |
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What You'll Learn
Blessings before meals
> Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty.
> Bless, O Lord, the food before us, and bless the hands that made it. We pray that you give bread to all those who hunger, and give hunger for righteousness to those who have their bread. Amen.
> Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest, and let Thy/these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.
> Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these Thy gifts which we receive from Thy bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
> O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for holy art Thou, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
> Bless this food, a sign of your loving care for us, and bless us in our daily lives. Bless your church throughout the world, and all those who seek to do your will today. Father of mercy, all praise be to you through Jesus Christ our savior, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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Blessings after meals
In the Catholic tradition, meals are a time to rejoice in blessings and encourage one another on our journey to Heaven. Eating meals together as a family strengthens family relationships and gives family members an opportunity to reconnect with one another.
Prayer After Meals
"We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest and reignest forever; and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."
Thanksgiving After Meals
"Loving Father, we praise you for all the gifts."
Prayer of Thanksgiving
"Dear Lord: Today we give thanks for our many..."
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"Thank you, Father, for your gifts: help us to..."
Eastern Catholic, Eastern Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox
"We thank Thee, O Christ our God, that Thou hast satisfied us with Thine earthly gifts; deprive us not of Thy Heavenly Kingdom, but as Thou camest among Thy disciples, O Saviour, and gavest them peace, come unto us and save us."
Methodist/Wesleyan
"We thank thee, Lord, for this our food, But more because of Jesus' blood. Let manna to our souls be given, The Bread of Life, sent down from heaven. Amen."
Moravian
"Be present at our table, Lord. Be here and everywhere adored. From Thine all bounteous hand, our food may we receive with gratitude. Amen."
Presbyterian
"Blessed God, in Thee we live, move and have our being; make us thankful for Thy mercies; and as we live by Thy providence, help us to live to Thy praise looking and waiting for a better life with Thyself above, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
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Blessings for specific occasions
Christmas Vigil Supper
The father initiates the vigil supper by distributing the Christmas prosphora to each family member, followed by the consecrated Jordan water. Christmas carols accompany the meal.
Easter Breakfast
The father distributes a portion of the Paschal egg. Easter songs accompany the festive meal.
Noon Meal
> Do not deprive us of your heavenly kingdom, but as you came into the midst of your disciples, O Saviour, granting them peace, so also come to us and save us.
Last Meal of the Day
> We have come to the last meal of this day, to our supper meal. Let us be mindful of how our Lord, at such a meal as this, washed his friends' feet in an act of holy service. As this food is about to serve us as nourishment, may we also serve one another.
Blessing of Bread
> Strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights. That your children whom you loved might learn. You should not be working for perishable food.
Blessing of Other Foods
> He has given you all the trees with seed-bearing fruit; this shall be your food. Every living and crawling thing shall provide food for you. You shall eat the lamb like this: it is the Passover in honour of the Lord. Ask and it will be given to you.
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Blessings for different denominations
While saying grace before meals is a practice that is not exclusive to Catholics, it is widely observed by Christians of all denominations, including Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestants. The practice is also observed by non-Christians. The act of saying grace is derived from the Bible, where Jesus and Saint Paul are depicted as praying before meals. Pope Francis encourages all believers to embrace the "beautiful and meaningful custom" of giving thanks to God before and after meals.
Catholic
- "Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty."
- "Bless this food, a sign of your loving care for us, and bless us in our daily lives. Bless your church throughout the world, and all those who seek to do your will today. Father of mercy, all praise be to you through Jesus Christ our savior, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."
- "Lord God and giver of all good gifts, we are grateful as we pause before this meal, for all the blessings of life that you give to us. Daily, we are fed with good things, nourished by friendship and care, feasted with forgiveness and understanding. And so, mindful of your continuous care, we pause to be grateful for the blessings of this table. May your presence be the extra taste to this meal which we eat in the name of your son, Jesus."
Eastern Catholic, Eastern Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox
"O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for holy art Thou, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen." (The one saying the prayer may make the Sign of the Cross over the food with the right hand).
Lutheran
"Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest, and let Thy/these gifts to us be blessed. Amen."
Methodist/Wesleyan
"Be present at our table, Lord. Be here and everywhere adored. These mercies bless and grant that we may feast in fellowship with Thee. Amen."
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Blessings for different foods
Blessings are an integral part of the Catholic tradition, and food is often blessed to sanctify a meal. The blessing recited depends on the type of food being eaten, and there are specific prayers for bread, fruits that grow on trees, fruits and vegetables that do not grow on trees, derivatives of the five grains, and derivatives of grapes. Here are some examples of blessings for different types of food:
Bread
"We lift up this bread; may it be food and symbol for all of us who shall eat it. Lord Jesus, our brother, be with us today. Bless our happy gathering, and bless this meal that we share."
Fruits and Vegetables
"Bless, O Lord, these new fruits (here insert the name of the fruit or vegetable). Grant that all who partake of them may obtain health of body and safety of soul. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."
Derivatives of the Five Grains
"Blessed are you, Lord God, who have showered all creatures with your blessings. Hear the prayers of these your servants: that whenever they eat this food...they may be blessed with your heavenly blessing; that striving always for what is holy, they may continually grow in charity. We ask this through Christ our Lord."
Derivatives of Grapes
"Blessed are you, Lord God, who fill the hungry and satisfy the thirsty, and give us wine to gladden our hearts. Grant that all who drink this wine...may rejoice in you and be invited to sit at your heavenly banquet for ever and ever."
General Blessings
"Bless this food, a sign of your loving care for us, and bless us in our daily lives... Lord God and giver of all good gifts, we are grateful as we pause before this meal, for all the blessings of life that you give to us."
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Frequently asked questions
A grace is a short prayer or phrase of thanks said before or after eating. Theologically, the act of saying grace is derived from the Bible, in which Jesus and Saint Paul pray before meals.
"Come Lord Jesus, be our guest; let this food, to us, be blessed."
Before eating, say: "O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for holy art Thou, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen." You may also make the Sign of the Cross over the food with your right hand.
"Bless, O Lord, the food before us, and bless the hands that made it. We pray that you give bread to all those who hunger, and give hunger for righteousness to those who have their bread. Amen."
"Lord God and giver of all good gifts, we are grateful as we pause before this meal, for all the blessings of life that you give to us. Daily, we are fed with good things, nourished by friendship and care, feasted with forgiveness and understanding. And so, mindful of your continuous care, we pause to be grateful for the blessings of this table. May your presence be the extra taste to this meal which we eat in the name of your son, Jesus."
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