The Grace Before Meals
Before meals: Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
After meals: 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.
Sign of the Cross before and after.
Pray the Grace Before Meals every day with a reminder.
Start praying with Rosary & MercyKey takeaways
- It thanks God for food and asks his blessing on it.
- Catholics also pray a short grace after the meal.
- The practice has Jewish roots and appears in the Gospels, where Jesus blesses bread.
What is the Grace Before Meals?
The Catholic grace before meals is a short blessing said at the table. It thanks God for his gifts and recalls that all we have comes from him. Jesus gave thanks before feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:19) and at the Last Supper.
When to pray it
Catholics pray it before eating, often with a Sign of the Cross, and add the grace after the meal. Families usually pray it out loud together.
Questions people ask
Must Catholics say grace?
It is not a command, but a long-standing custom of gratitude. The Catechism lists thanksgiving as one of the basic forms of prayer (CCC 2637-2638).
Can I use my own words?
Yes. A spontaneous prayer of thanks is fine. The traditional text is a simple default.
Is there a grace after meals?
Yes, the traditional "We give Thee thanks" prayer above. It is often forgotten but it is just as old.
Related prayers
Pray through what you are reading, every day, with a gentle reminder.
Start praying with Rosary & MercySources: Matthew 14:19 · Luke 22:19 · Catechism of the Catholic Church 2637-2638, 2834 · USCCB