Expert: Maria - 11/19/2004

Question
I am young member of old gentlemans club in Ireland. I have to say grace before and after dinner. Would like to do this in latin.  Have you any famious prayers and what is the translation. many thanks

Answer
Hello Brian,

I can suggest two Latin prayers used as  a  pre-prandial grace and a post-prandial grace at many Oxford and Cambridge colleges.

Here's the prayer BEFORE DINNER and its translation into English:
«Benedic, Domine, nos et haec tua dona
quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi
per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. »

“Bless us, o Lord, and these  your  gifts
which  we are about to receive from  your  bounty.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen”.


As for the prayer AFTER DINNER, here it is:

«Gratias tibi agimus, sempiterne Deus,
quod tam benigne hoc tempore nos pascere dignatus es,
benedicentes sanctum nomen tuum...
In nomine Patris,  et  Filii, et   Spiritus Sancti. Amen"

“We give you thanks, eternal God,
that so kindly at this time you have deigned to feed us,
blessing your holy name...
In name  of Father and of Son and of Spirit Holy”.

All the best
Maria