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Grace Before Meals
Benedic, Domine
The traditional Catholic grace before meals — 'Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts' — with the Latin original.
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Latin
Benedic, Domine, nos et haec tua dona, quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
History
Drawn from the Church's ancient table blessings, this short grace has been the standard Catholic prayer before meals for centuries — brief enough for a family with hungry children, complete enough to name where every meal actually comes from.
When to Pray
Before every meal — at home, in public, without embarrassment. Making the Sign of the Cross with it is the traditional custom.