Strange-Silly Question about Grace & meals

[Kenny]

How do you remember to say it before each (main) meal?
 
 

I just forced myself to remember it until it became a habit.

It helps if you have someone who eats with you regularly. You can remind each other. Or maybe learn to the blessing and grace in Latin! Maybe you will feel so eager to practise it that you remember to say them before and after meals.

[QuisUtDeus]

How do you remember to say it before each (main) meal?

I just forced myself to remember it until it became a habit.

It helps if you have someone who eats with you regularly. You can remind each other. Or maybe learn to the blessing and grace in Latin! Maybe you will feel so eager to practise it that you remember to say them before and after meals.

Yeah, it just becomes habit.

 

You can also put a holy card or something on the table to remind you.  And make it one of your kid's jobs to remember to say grace.  Whatever works.

 

Once you start doing it regular, you rarely forget.  The trick is starting to do it regular especially at the main family meal which is usually dinner.

[DominusTecum]

Yeah, just make sure you do it at every meal. I would usually always remember at dinner because I'd been saying it before (never after) it my entire life. So first I got good at saying it before every meal (Do it in Latin, then you'll want to show off and you'll remember) and after awhile you can start phasing in the after dinner prayer as well. Just say the blessing before or after you sit down (we often say it standing behind the chair at St. Mary's) but before you start to eat. As soon as you're finished eating, or after you stand up from the table, it's a very natural time to say the after-dinner one.

[Paul]

The one nice thing about a Catholic grace is that it's short and sweet!

It doesn't have to be. ;) Here's the form given in the back of the Breviary:

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Blessing of Meals
Before Lunch
STAND
The Priest who is about to bless the   meal begins: Benedícite (Bless ye), and   the others repeat Benedícite (Bless ye).
Then the Priest begins the Verse
Oculi ómnium, et alii   prosequuntur: in te sperant, Dómine, et tu das escam illórum in   témpore opportúno.  Aperis tu manum tuam, et imples omne animal   benedictióne.	The eyes of all, and the   rest continue: wait upon thee, O Lord, and thou givest them their meat   in due season.  Thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things living   with plenteousness.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
Kyrie,   eléison.  Christe, eléison.  Kyrie, eléison.	Lord,   have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.    Lord have mercy.
Pater   noster.   secreto   usque ad	Our   Father, secretly until:
V.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.  R.    Sed líbera nos a malo.	V.  And lead   us not into temptation.  R.  But deliver us from evil.
Afterwards the Priest says:
Oremus.   Benedic, Dómine, nos, † et hæc tua dona, quæ de tua largitate sumus sumpturi.  Per   Christum Dóminum nostrum. R.  Amen.	Let us pray. Bless us, O Lord, † and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy   bounty.  Through Christ our Lord. R.  Amen.
Deinde Lector: Jube domne, benedícere.	Then the Lector: Be pleased, Sir, to give the blessing.
Benedictio Mensæ cæléstis participes fáciat nos Rex ætérnæ   glóriæ.  R.    Amen.	Benediction May the King of eternal glory make us partakers   of his heavenly table.  R.  Amen.
After Lunch
thanks is given in this way:
Dicto a   Lectore Tu autem   Domine, miserere nobis. R. Deo gratias, omnes   surgunt.	The Lector   having said But Thou, O   Lord, have mercy on us. R. Thanks be God, all stand.
Sacerdos   incipit: V.  Confiteántur tibi,   Dómine, ómnia ópera tua.  R.  Et Sancti tui benedícant tibi.	The priest   begins: V.  All thy works shall   praise thee, O Lord.  R.  And thy Saints shall give thanks unto   thee.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
Afterwards the Priest simply says:
Agimus tibi grátias, omnípotens Deus, pro   univérsis beneficiis tuis : Qui vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum.  R.  Amen.	We give thee thanks, Almighty God, for all thy   benefits.  Who livest and reignest, world without end.  R.  Amen.
Then is said in turns Psalm 50 Miserére mei, Deus.
Psalm 50.  Miserere
Miserere   mei Deus, * secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.	Have mercy on me, O God, * according to thy great mercy.
2  Et secundum multitudinem miserationum   tuarum, * dele iniquitatem meam.	2  And according to the multitude of thy   tender mercies * blot out my iniquity.
3  Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: *   et a peccato meo munda me.	3  Wash me yet more from my iniquity, *   and cleanse me from my sin.
4  Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego   cognosco: * et peccatum meum contra me est semper.	4  For I know my iniquity, * and my sin   is always before me.
5  Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te   feci: * ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.	5  To thee only have I sinned, and have   done evil before thee: * that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst   overcome when thou art judged.
6  Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus   sum: * et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.	6  For behold I was conceived in   iniquities; * and in sins did my mother conceive me.
7  Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: *   incerta et occulta sapientiæ tuæ manifestasti mihi.	7  For behold thou hast loved truth: *   the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.
8  Asperges me hyssopo, et mundabor: *   lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.	8  Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop,   and I shall be cleansed: * thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter   than snow.
9  Auditui meo dabis gaudium et   lætitiam: * et exsultabunt ossa humiliata.	9  To my hearing thou shalt   give joy and gladness: * and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
10  Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: *   et omnes iniquitates meas dele.	10  Turn away thy face from my sins, *   and blot out all my iniquities.
11  Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: * et   spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.	11  Create a clean heart in me, O God: *   and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
12  Ne projicias me a facie tua: * et   spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.	12  Cast me not away from thy face; * and   take not thy holy spirit from me.
13  Redde mihi lætitiam salutaris tui: *   et spiritu principali confirma me.	13  Restore unto me the joy of thy   salvation, * and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
14  Docebo iniquos vias tuas: * et impii   ad te convertentur.	14  I will teach the unjust thy ways: *   and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
15  Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus   salutis meæ: * et exsultabit lingua mea justitiam tuam.	15  Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God   of my salvation: * and my tongue shall extol thy justice.
16  Domine, labia mea aperies: * et os   meum annuntiabit laudem tuam.	16  O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: * and   my mouth shall declare thy praise.
17  Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium   dedissem utique: * holocaustis non delectaberis.	17  For if thou hadst desired sacrifice,   I would indeed have given it: * with burnt offerings thou wilt not be   delighted.
18  Sacrificium Deo spiritus   contribulatus: * cor contritum, et humiliatum, Deus non despicies.	18  A sacrifice to God is an afflicted   spirit: * a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
19  Benigne fac, Domine, in bona   voluntate tua Sion: * ut ædificentur muri Jerusalem.	19  Deal favourably, O Lord,   in thy good will with Sion; * that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
20  Tunc acceptabis sacrificium justitiæ,   oblationes, et holocausta: * tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.	20  Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice   of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: * then shall they lay calves   upon thy altar.
or Psalm   116 Laudáte Dóminum
Laudáte Dóminum, omnes Gentes: * laudáte eum,   omnes pópuli :	O praise the Lord, all ye nations: * praise him, all ye people.
2  Quóniam confirmáta est super nos   misericórdia ejus: * et véritas Dómini manet in ætérnum.	2  For his mercy is confirmed upon us: *   and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
Kyrie,   eléison.  Christe, eléison.  Kyrie, eléison.	Lord,   have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.    Lord have mercy.
The priest says Pater noster, which which the others proceeds   secretly until
V.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.  R.    Sed líbera nos a malo.	V.  And lead   us not into temptation.  R.  But deliver us from evil.
V.    Dispersit, dedit paupéribus.  R.    Justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.	V.  He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor.  R.    And his righteousness endureth for ever.
V.    Benedícam Dóminum in omni témpore.  R.    Semper laus ejus in ore meo.	V.  I will alway give thanks unto the Lord.  R.    And his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
V.    In Dómino laudábitur ánima mea.  R.    Audiant mansuéti, et lætentur.	V.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord.  R.    The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
V.    Magnificáte Dóminum mecum.  R.    Et exaltémus nomen ejus in idípsum.	V.  O magnify the Lord with me.  R.  And let us exalt his Name together.
V.    Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum.  R.    Ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum.	V.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord.    R.  From this time forth   for evermore.
Then the Priest says simply:
Retribuere dignare, Dómine, ómnibus, nobis bona   faciéntibus propter nomen tuum, vitam æternam.  R.  Amen.	Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy Name's sake, to reward   all them that do us good with everlasting life.  R.  Amen.
V.  Benedicámus Dómino.  R.  Deo grátias.	V.  Bless we the Lord.  R.    Thanks be to God.
V.  Fidélium ánimæ † per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in pace.   R.    Amen.	V.  May the souls † of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  R.    Amen.
Pater noster totum   secreto.	Our Father entirely   secretly.
Which being finished, the Priest says:
V.  Deus det nobis † suam pacem.  R.  Amen.	V.  May God † grant us his   peace.  R.    Amen.

 

 

[Paul]

 

                                                                                                                                               

Before Supper
STAND
The Priest who is about to bless the   meal begins: Benedícite (Bless ye), and   the others repeat Benedícite (Bless ye).
Then the Priest begins the Verse
Edent páuperes, et alii   prosequuntur: et saturabúntur, et laudábunt Dóminum, qui requírunt eum   : vivent corda eórum in sæculum sæculi.	The poor shall eat, and   the rest continue: and be satisfied, and they shall praise the Lord   that seek him : their heart shall live for ever.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
Kyrie,   eléison.  Christe, eléison.  Kyrie, eléison.	Lord, have   mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord   have mercy.
Pater   noster.   secreto   usque ad	Our   Father, secretly until:
V.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.  R.    Sed líbera nos a malo.	V.  And lead   us not into temptation.  R.  But deliver us from evil.
Oremus.   Benedic, Dómine, nos, † et hæc tua dona, quæ de tua largitate sumus sumpturi.  Per   Christum Dóminum nostrum. R.  Amen.	Let us pray. Bless us, O Lord, † and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy   bounty.  Through Christ our Lord. R.  Amen.
Jube domne, benedícere.	Be pleased, Sir, to give the blessing.
Benedictio Ad cœnam vitæ ætérnæ perducat nos Rex ætérnæ   glóriæ.  R.    Amen.	Benediction May the King of eternal glory bring us to the   supper of eternal life.  R.  Amen.
After Supper
thanks is given as after Lunch, but is said:
V.  Memóriam fecit mirabílium suórum   misericors et miserátor Dóminus.  R.  Escam dedit timéntibus se.	V.  The merciful and gracious Lord hath so   done his marvellous works that they ought to be had in remembrance.  R.    He hath given meat unto them that fear him.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
Benedíctus Deus in donis suis, et sanctus in   ómnibus opéribus suis : Qui vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.  R.  Amen.	Blessed be the Lord in all his gifts, and holy in   all his works.  Who liveth and reigneth, world without end.  R.  Amen.
And then is said in turns Psalm 116 Laudáte Dóminum, omnes gentes and the rest, as above:
When a meal is only eaten once, all is   said as at Supper.
The aforesaid mode of blessing meals,   and giving thanks, is used at all times of this winter Part, except on the   days written below, for which the Verse and Psalm only are varied.

 

 

[Paul]

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

IN CHRISTMASTIDE
until Supper   of the Vigil of the Epiphany exclusive is said:
V.    Verbum caro factum est, alleluja.  R.  Et habitavit in nobis, alleluja.	V.    The Word was made flesh, alleluia.  R.  And dwelt amongst us, alleluia.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
At the end is said:
V.    Notum fecit Dominus, alleluja.  R.  Salutare suum, alleluja.	V.    The Lord hath declared, alleluia.  R.  His salvation, alleluia.
The rest as above.
Psalm 97 Cantate Domine, which is on 247, or Psalm 116   Laudate Dominum, omnes Gentes 166.
Which Psalm can be said always at grace   even on other Solemnities.
ON THE EPIPHANY
and through the entire Octave
V.    Verbum caro factum est, alleluja.  R.  Et habitavit in nobis, alleluja.	V.    The Word was made flesh, alleluia.  R.  And dwelt amongst us, alleluia.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
At the end is said:
V.    Notum fecit Dominus, alleluja.  R.  Salutare suum, alleluja.	V.    The Lord hath declared, alleluia.  R.  His salvation, alleluia.
The rest as above.
Psalm 71 Deus, judicium tuum regi da 262, or Psalm 116   Laudate Dominum, omnes Gentes 166.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
There is said   simply without chant:
V.  Christus   factus est pro nobis obediens usque ad mortem.	V.  Christ for   our sake became obedient unto death.
Then a Pater   noster, entirely   secretly.
Which having   been said, without the pronunciation of anything else, the Priest blesses the   table with the sign of the cross; there is said neither Jube, domne, nor Tu autem.
At the end is   repeated:
V.  Christus   factus est pro nobis obediens usque ad mortem.	V.  Christ for   our sake became obedient unto death.
Afterwards   Psalm 50, Miserere as above.
Which being   finished, without the Verse Gloria Patri, secretly is said a Pater   noster.
Then the Priest   simply says the Collect.
Réspice,   quæsumus, Dómine, super hanc familiam tuam, pro qua Dóminus noster Jesus   Christus non dubitávit mánibus tradi nocéntium, et crucis subire torméntum.	Almighty   God, we beseech thee graciously behold this thy family, for which our Lord   Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of   wicked men, and to suffer death upon the Cross.
And neither   Qui tecum nor Fidelium animæ is pronounced; but secretly is said a Pater   noster, and Deus det   nobis suam pacem is not added.
GOOD FRIDAY
It is said in   the same way on on Maundy Thursday, but the Verse is said as below:
V.  Christus   factus est pro nobis obediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis.	V.  Christ for   our sake became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.
HOLY SATURDAY
At the   blessing of the table (at both) is said:
Benedícite.   R.  Benedícite.	Bless   ye. R.  Bless ye.
V.  Véspere autem   sabbati, quæ lucescit in prima sabbati, allelúja.   R.  Venit Maria Magdalene, et áltera Maria, vidére sepúlcrum,   allelúja.	V.  In the end of the   Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, alleluia. R.  Came Mary Magdalene, and the other   Mary, to see the sepulchre, alleluia.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
At the end is   repeated: V.  Véspere autem, as   above, with Gloria Patri. Sicut erat.
Psalm 116 Laudate   Domine, omnes Gentes 166 with Gloria Patri
Kyrie, eléison.    Christe, eléison.  Kyrie,   eléison.	Lord, have mercy.    Christ, have mercy.  Lord have mercy.
and the rest,   as above in the first Benediction.
ON EASTER
and   thenceforth until Supper of the following Saturday exclusive, at the blessing   of the table is said:
V.  Hæc dies, quam fecit   Dóminus, allelúja. R.  Exsultemus,   et lætemur in ea, allelúja.	V.  This is the day   which the Lord hath made, alleluia. R.    Let us rejoice and be glad therein, alleluia.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
At the end is   repeated: Haec dies with Gloria   Patri.
Psalm 117 Confitemini   Domino 55.
ON THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
until the Vigil of Pentecost   exclusive
V.  Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne, allelúja. R.  Et Dóminus in voce tubæ, allelúja.	V.  God is gone up with   a merry noise, alleluia. R.  And   the Lord with the sound of the trump, alleluia.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
In fine   dicitur: V.  Ascendens Christus in altum, allelúja. R.  Captivam duxit captivitátem, allelúja.	At the end is   said: V.  Christ ascending up on high, alleluia. R.  Hath led captivity captive, alleluia.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
Psalm 46 Omnes   Gentes 189 or Psalm 116 Laudate   Dominum 166.
ON PENTECOST
From the   Vigil of the same inclusive, until Supper of the following Saturday   exclusive:
V.  Spíritus Dómini   replevit orbem terrárum, allelúja. R.    Et hoc quod continet ómnia, sciéntiam habet vocis, allelúja.	V.  The Spirit of the   Lord filleth the world, alleluia. R.    And that which containeth all things, hath knowledge of the voice, alleluia.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
In fine   dicitur: V.  Repleti sunt omnes Spíritu Sancto,   allelúja. R.  Et cœpérunt loqui,   allelúja.	At the end is   said: V.  They were all filled with the Holy Ghost,   alleluia. R.  And began to speak,   alleluia.
Glória Patri. Sicut erat.	Glory be. As it was.
Psalm 47 Magnus Dominus 189 or Psalm 116   Laudate Dominum, omnes Gentes 166.

 

 

[GrumpyTroll]

                     

Blessing of Meals

Before Lunch

STAND

The Priest who is about to bless the   meal begins: Benedícite (Bless ye), and   the others repeat Benedícite (Bless ye).

In French the prayer of grace before meals is called the bénédicité — now I know why! Thank you for that.