Praying before eating is the most basic Catholic habit. It reminds us that our food is a gift, not a right.
The Standard Grace (Before Meals)
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace After Meals (The Forgotten Prayer)
We allow the Jews and the Muslims to outdo us here! They pray after eating to thank God for satisfaction. Catholics have a prayer for this too:
We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Seasonal Variations
Advent
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blest. Prepare our hearts to receive You. Amen.
Easter
Christ is risen, Alleluia! Bless this food and our fellowship as we celebrate His victory. Amen.
Latin (Benedic, Domine)
Benedic, Domine, nos et haec tua dona, quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Don't just eat; dine with gratitude. Find all these prayers in the MyPrayerTower app.