Said before eating, to bless food and acknowledge God’s providence.

Grace Before Meals is a short Catholic prayer of blessing said before eating. It acknowledges that food is a gift from God and asks His blessing upon it. This prayer has been part of Catholic family life for centuries.

The Prayer

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts,
which we are about to receive from Thy bounty,
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

About This Prayer

The practice of blessing food before meals is drawn from the example of Jesus himself, who blessed bread at the Last Supper and at the feeding of the multitude. This traditional Catholic form has been prayed in Catholic homes for generations.