Grace at Meals

during Ascensiontide

From the Evening Meal on the Vigil of the Ascension
until the Evening Meal on the Friday after the Octave Day of the Ascension

Before
 Midday Meal
 After

Before
Evening Meal
 After

ANTE PRANDIUM

BEFORE THE MIDDAY MEAL

STAND

Before the Midday Meal, the Foremost present or his deputy who is to bless the meal begins by saying :

V.  Benedícite.
R.  Benedícite.

 V.  Bless ye.
R.  Bless ye.

V.  Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne, allelúja.
R.  Et Dóminus in voce tubæ, allelúja.

V.  God is gone up with a merry noise, alleluia.
R.  And the Lord with the sound of the trump, alleluia.

V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  *  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.

V.  Kyrie, eléison.
R.  Christe, eléison.  Kyrie, eléison.

V.  Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Christ, have mercy upon us.  Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos inducas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.

Our Father.  Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

Oremus.            Orátio
Bénedic, Dómine, nos, † et hæc tua dona, quæ de tua largitáte sumus sumptúri.  Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
R.  Amen.

Let us pray.            Collect
Bless us, O Lord, † and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty.  Through Christ our Lord.
R.  Amen.

The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says :

Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio:
Mensæ cæléstis partícipes fáciat nos Rex ætérnæ glóriæ.
R.  Amen.

The Blessing:
May the King of eternal glory make us partakers of his heavenly table.
R.  Amen.

POST PRANDIUM

AFTER THE MIDDAY MEAL
At the end of the reading the Lector says :
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.		 V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.
STAND
The Foremost begins the Grace after the Midday Meal :
V.  Ascéndens Christus in altum, allelúja.
R.  Captívam duxit captivitátem, allelúja.		 V.  Christ ascending up on high, alleluia.
R.  Hath led captivity captive, alleluia.

V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  *  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.
And then the Foremost says immediately :

Agimus tibi grátias, omnípotens Deus, pro univérsis benefíciis tuis : Qui vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

We give thee thanks, Almighty God, for all thy benefits.  Who livest and reignest, world without end.
R.  Amen.
And then is said Psalm 46 Omnes Gentes as follows :

Psalmus 46.  Omnes Gentes

Omnes Gentes, pláudite mánibus: * jubiláte Deo in voce exsultatiónis.
2  Quóniam Dóminus excélsus, terríbilis: * Rex magnus super omnem terram.
3  Subjécit pópulos nobis: * et Gentes sub pédibus nostris.
4  Elégit nobis hereditátem suam : * spéciem Jacob, quam diléxit.
5  Ascéndit Deus in júbilo: * et Dóminus in voce tubæ.
6  Psállite Deo nostro, psállite: * psállite Regi nostro, psállite.
7  Quóniam Rex omnis terræ Deus: * psállite sapiénter.
8  Regnábit Deus super Gentes: * Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam.
9  Príncipes populórum congregáti sunt cum Deo Abraham: * quóniam dii fortes terræ veheménter eleváti sunt.
Psalm 46.  Omnes Gentes

O clap your hands, all ye nations: * O shout unto God with the voice of joy.
2  For the Lord is high, and to be feared; * he is the great King upon all the earth.
3  He hath subdued the peoples under us, * and the nations under our feet.
4  He hath chosen out an heritage for us, * even the excellency of Jacob, whom he loved.
5  God is gone up with a merry noise, * and the Lord with the sound of the trump.
6  O sing praises, sing praises unto our God; * O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
7  For God is the King of all the earth: * sing ye praises with understanding.
8  God shall reign over the nations; * God sitteth upon his holy throne.
9  The princes of the peoples are joined unto the God of Abraham; * for the strong gods of the earth are very high exalted.

V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  *  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.

V.  Kyrie, eléison.
R.  Christe, eléison.  Kyrie, eléison.

V.  Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Christ, have mercy upon us.  Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos inducas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.

Our Father.  Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

V.  Dispérsit, dedit paupéribus.
R.  Justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

V.  He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor.
R.  And his righteousness endureth for ever.

V.  Benedícam Dóminum in omni témpore.
R.  Semper laus ejus in ore meo.

V.  I will alway give thanks unto the Lord.
R.  And his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

V.  In Dómino laudábitur ánima mea.
R.  Audiant mansuéti, et læténtur.

V.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord.
R.  The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

V.  Magnificáte Dóminum mecum.
R.  Et exaltémus nomen ejus in idípsum.

V.  O magnify the Lord with me.
R.  And let us exalt his Name together.

V.  Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum.
R.  Ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum.

V.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R.  From this time forth for evermore.
And then the Foremost says immediately :  

Retribúere dignáre, Dómine, ómnibus, nobis bona faciéntibus propter nomen tuum, vitam ætérnam.
R.  Amen.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy Name's sake, to reward all them that do us good with everlasting life.
R.  Amen.
V.  Benedicámus Dómino.
R.  Deo grátias.		 V.  Bless we the Lord.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Fidélium ánimæ † per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in pace.
R.  Amen.

V.  May the souls † of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R.  Amen.

Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.
After which the Foremost says aloud :
Deus det nobis † suam pacem.
R.  Amen.		 May God grant us † his peace.
R.  Amen.

ANTE CŒNAM

BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL

STAND

Before the Evening Meal, the Foremost present or his deputy who is to bless the meal begins by saying :
V.  Benedícite.
R.  Benedícite.		 V.  Bless ye.
R.  Bless ye.

V.  Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne, allelúja.
R.  Et Dóminus in voce tubæ, allelúja.

V.  God is gone up with a merry noise, alleluia.
R.  And the Lord with the sound of the trump, alleluia.

V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  *  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.

V.  Kyrie, eléison.
R.  Christe, eléison.  Kyrie, eléison.

V.  Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Christ, have mercy upon us.  Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secreto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos inducas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.

Our Father.  Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

Oremus.            Orátio
Bénedic, Dómine, nos, † et hæc tua dona, quæ de tua largitáte sumus sumptúri.  Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
R.  Amen.

Let us pray.            Collect
Bless us, O Lord, † and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty.  Through Christ our Lord.
R.  Amen.
The Lector then bows to the Foremost, and says :
Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere. Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
To which the Foremost makes answer:

Benedictio:
Ad cœnam vitæ ætérnæ perdúcat nos Rex ætérnæ glóriæ.
R.  Amen.

The Blessing:
May the King of eternal glory bring us to the supper of eternal life.
R.  Amen.

POST CŒNAM

AFTER THE EVENING MEAL
At the end of the reading the Lector says :
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.		 V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

STAND
The Foremost begins the Grace after the Evening Meal :
V.  Ascéndens Christus in altum, allelúja.
R.  Captívam duxit captivitátem, allelúja.		 V.  Christ ascending up on high, alleluia.
R.  Hath led captivity captive, alleluia.

V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  *  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.
And then the Foremost says immediately :

Benedíctus Deus in donis suis, et sanctus in ómnibus opéribus suis : Qui vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Blessed be the Lord in all his gifts, and holy in all his works.  Who liveth and reigneth, world without end.
R.  Amen.
And then is said Psalm 46 Omnes Gentes as follows :

Psalmus 46.  Omnes Gentes

Omnes Gentes, pláudite mánibus: * jubiláte Deo in voce exsultatiónis.
2  Quóniam Dóminus excélsus, terríbilis: * Rex magnus super omnem terram.
3  Subjécit pópulos nobis: * et Gentes sub pédibus nostris.
4  Elégit nobis hereditátem suam : * spéciem Jacob, quam diléxit.
5  Ascéndit Deus in júbilo: * et Dóminus in voce tubæ.
6  Psállite Deo nostro, psállite: * psállite Regi nostro, psállite.
7  Quóniam Rex omnis terræ Deus: * psállite sapiénter.
8  Regnábit Deus super Gentes: * Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam.
9  Príncipes populórum congregáti sunt cum Deo Abraham: * quóniam dii fortes terræ veheménter eleváti sunt.
Psalm 46.  Omnes Gentes

O clap your hands, all ye nations: * O shout unto God with the voice of joy.
2  For the Lord is high, and to be feared; * he is the great King upon all the earth.
3  He hath subdued the peoples under us, * and the nations under our feet.
4  He hath chosen out an heritage for us, * even the excellency of Jacob, whom he loved.
5  God is gone up with a merry noise, * and the Lord with the sound of the trump.
6  O sing praises, sing praises unto our God; * O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
7  For God is the King of all the earth: * sing ye praises with understanding.
8  God shall reign over the nations; * God sitteth upon his holy throne.
9  The princes of the peoples are joined unto the God of Abraham; * for the strong gods of the earth are very high exalted.

V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  *  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.

V.  Kyrie, eléison.
R.  Christe, eléison.  Kyrie, eléison.

V.  Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Christ, have mercy upon us.  Lord have mercy upon us.

Pater noster secréto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos inducas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.

Our Father.  Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

V.  Dispérsit, dedit paupéribus.
R.  Justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

V.  He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor.
R.  And his righteousness endureth for ever.

V.  Benedícam Dóminum in omni témpore.
R.  Semper laus ejus in ore meo.

V.  I will alway give thanks unto the Lord.
R.  And his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

V.  In Dómino laudábitur ánima mea.
R.  Audiant mansuéti, et læténtur.

V.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord.
R.  The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
V.  Magnificáte Dóminum mecum.
R.  Et exaltémus nomen ejus in idípsum.

V.  O magnify the Lord with me.
R.  And let us exalt his Name together.

V.  Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum.
R.  Ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum.

V.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R.  From this time forth for evermore.
And then the Foremost says immediately :

Retribúere dignáre, Dómine, ómnibus, nobis bona faciéntibus propter nomen tuum, vitam ætérnam.
R.  Amen.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy Name's sake, to reward all them that do us good with everlasting life.
R.  Amen.
V.  Benedicámus Dómino.
R.  Deo grátias.		 V.  Bless we the Lord.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Fidélium ánimæ † per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in pace.
R.  Amen.

V.  May the souls † of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R.  Amen.

Pater Noster totum secreto. Our Father is said silently.
After which the Foremost says aloud :
Deus det nobis † suam pacem.
R.  Amen.		 May God grant us † his peace.
R.  Amen.
NOTE : That on any day when only one meal is eaten, Grace is said as at the Evening Meal.