Grace at Meals

during Lent

From the Midday Meal on Ash Wednesday
until the Evening Meal on the Wednesday of Holy Week

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.
And then he says :
V.  Oculi ómnium. V.  The eyes of all.
And the rest continue :

R.  In te sperant, Dómine, et tu das escam illórum in témpore opportúno.  Aperis tu manum tuam, et imples omne ánimal benedictióne.

R.  Wait upon thee, O Lord, and thou givest them their meat in due season.  Thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness.

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.            Oratio
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.  Confiteántur tibi, Dómine, ómnia ópera tua.
R.  Et Sancti tui benedícant tibi.

V.  All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord.
R.  And thy Saints shall give thanks unto thee.

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 50 Miserere mei, Deus as follows :

Psalmus 50.  Miserere mei, Deus

Miserére mei Deus, * secúndum magnam misericórdiam tuam.
2  Et secúndum multitúdinem miseratiónum tuárum, * dele iniquitátem meam.
3  Amplius lava me ab iniquitáte mea: * et a peccáto meo munda me.
4  Quóniam iniquitátem meam ego cognósco: * et peccátum meum contra me est semper.
5  Tibi soli peccávi, et malum coram te feci: * ut justificéris in sermónibus tuis, et vincas cum judicáris.
6  Ecce enim in iniquitátibus concéptus sum: * et in peccátis concépit me mater mea.
7  Ecce enim veritátem dilexísti: * incérta et occúlta sapiéntiæ tuæ manifestásti mihi.
8  Aspérges me hyssópo, et mundábor: * lavábis me, et super nivem dealbábor.
9  Audítui meo dabis gáudium et lætítiam: * et exsultábunt ossa humiliáta.
10  Avérte fáciem tuam a peccátis meis: * et omnes iniquitátes meas dele.
11  Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: * et spíritum rectum ínnova in viscéribus meis.
12  Ne projícias me a fácie tua: * et spíritum sanctum tuum ne áuferas a me.
13  Redde mihi lætítiam salutáris tui: * et spíritu principáli confírma me.
14  Docébo iníquos vias tuas: * et ímpii ad te converténtur.
15  Líbera me de sanguínibus, Deus, Deus salútis meæ: * et exsultábit lingua mea justítiam tuam.
16  Dómine, lábia mea apéries: * et os meum annuntiábit laudem tuam.
17  Quóniam si voluísses sacrifícium dedíssem útique: * holocáustis non delectáberis.
18  Sacrifícium Deo spíritus contribulátus: * cor contrítum, et humiliátum, Deus non despícies.
19  Benígne fac, Dómine, in bona voluntáte tua Sion: * ut ædificéntur muri Jerúsalem.
20  Tunc acceptábis sacrifícium justítiæ, oblatiónes, et holocáusta: * tunc impónent super altáre tuum vítulos.
Psalm 50.  Miserere mei, Deus

Have mercy upon me, O God, * after thy great goodness.
2  According to the multitude of thy mercies * do away mine offences.
3  Wash me throughly from my wickedness, * and cleanse me from my sin.
4  For I acknowledge my faults, * and my sin is ever before me.
5  Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; * that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.
6  Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, * and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
7  But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts, * and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
8  Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; * thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
9  Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, * that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
10  Turn thy face from my sins, * and put out all my misdeeds.
11  Make me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a right spirit within me.
12  Cast me not away from thy presence, * and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
13  O give me the comfort of thy help again, * and stablish me with thy free Spirit.
14  Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, * and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
15  Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; * and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
16  Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall shew thy praise.
17  For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee; * but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
18  The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: * a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.
19  O be favourable and gracious unto Sion; * build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
20  Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations; * then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.

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.
And then he says :
V.  Edent páuperes. V.  The poor shall eat.
And the rest continue :

R.  Et saturabúntur, et laudábunt Dóminum, qui requírunt eum : vivent corda eórum in sæculum sæculi.

R.  And be satisfied, and they shall praise the Lord that seek him : their heart shall live for ever.

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.            Oratio
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.  Memóriam fecit mirabílium suórum miséricors et miserátor Dóminus.
R.  Escam dedit timéntibus se.

V.  The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works that they ought to be had in remembrance.
R.  He hath given meat unto them that fear him.

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 50 Miserere mei, Deus as follows :

Psalmus 50.  Miserere mei, Deus

Miserére mei Deus, * secúndum magnam misericórdiam tuam.
2  Et secúndum multitúdinem miseratiónum tuárum, * dele iniquitátem meam.
3  Amplius lava me ab iniquitáte mea: * et a peccáto meo munda me.
4  Quóniam iniquitátem meam ego cognósco: * et peccátum meum contra me est semper.
5  Tibi soli peccávi, et malum coram te feci: * ut justificéris in sermónibus tuis, et vincas cum judicáris.
6  Ecce enim in iniquitátibus concéptus sum: * et in peccátis concépit me mater mea.
7  Ecce enim veritátem dilexísti: * incérta et occúlta sapiéntiæ tuæ manifestásti mihi.
8  Aspérges me hyssópo, et mundábor: * lavábis me, et super nivem dealbábor.
9  Audítui meo dabis gáudium et lætítiam: * et exsultábunt ossa humiliáta.
10  Avérte fáciem tuam a peccátis meis: * et omnes iniquitátes meas dele.
11  Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: * et spíritum rectum ínnova in viscéribus meis.
12  Ne projícias me a fácie tua: * et spíritum sanctum tuum ne áuferas a me.
13  Redde mihi lætítiam salutáris tui: * et spíritu principáli confírma me.
14  Docébo iníquos vias tuas: * et ímpii ad te converténtur.
15  Líbera me de sanguínibus, Deus, Deus salútis meæ: * et exsultábit lingua mea justítiam tuam.
16  Dómine, lábia mea apéries: * et os meum annuntiábit laudem tuam.
17  Quóniam si voluísses sacrifícium dedíssem útique: * holocáustis non delectáberis.
18  Sacrifícium Deo spíritus contribulátus: * cor contrítum, et humiliátum, Deus non despícies.
19  Benígne fac, Dómine, in bona voluntáte tua Sion: * ut ædificéntur muri Jerúsalem.
20  Tunc acceptábis sacrifícium justítiæ, oblatiónes, et holocáusta: * tunc impónent super altáre tuum vítulos.
Psalm 50.  Miserere mei, Deus

Have mercy upon me, O God, * after thy great goodness.
2  According to the multitude of thy mercies * do away mine offences.
3  Wash me throughly from my wickedness, * and cleanse me from my sin.
4  For I acknowledge my faults, * and my sin is ever before me.
5  Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; * that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.
6  Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, * and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
7  But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts, * and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
8  Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; * thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
9  Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, * that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
10  Turn thy face from my sins, * and put out all my misdeeds.
11  Make me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a right spirit within me.
12  Cast me not away from thy presence, * and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
13  O give me the comfort of thy help again, * and stablish me with thy free Spirit.
14  Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, * and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
15  Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; * and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
16  Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall shew thy praise.
17  For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee; * but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
18  The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: * a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.
19  O be favourable and gracious unto Sion; * build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
20  Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations; * then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.

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.
NOTE : That on any day when only one meal is eaten, Grace is said as at the Evening Meal.