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Question Title Posted By Question Date
meal blessing Brenda Friday, October 1, 2004

Question:

i've found that blessings before and after a meal are general in the plural (bless US o Lord, and these Thy gifts, which WE, etc.). my question is, are there any prayers i can say when i'm eating alone, as i'm afraid my family rarely eats together. is it sufficient just to 'cross' myself?

thanx and God bless u and Mary keep u

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+

Dear Brenda:

You can make-up a prayer yourself to suit any needs you may have for any situation you find yourself in.

If you wish to use the traditional prayer, just make the pronouns singular:

Bless me, O Lord, and these your gifts, which I am about to receive from your bounty, through Christ my Lord. Amen.

The prayers used at the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri is the prayer form we used in the Legion of St. Michael. These prayers change with the Liturgical season and with the meal in question, but as an example of prayers before before Evening Meal in Ordinary Time (see brackets for singular recitation):

V. The Lord Bless Us!
R. And give us peace.

All: Lord our God, we thank you for the gifts placed here before us, Glory to You forever.

When alone: [Lord our God, I thank you for the gifts place here before me. glory to You forever.]

Superior: As many grains have become the one bread before us, so may we be one in Christ. One in Faith, one in Spirit, we share the Bread of Life.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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