Grace After Meals

The Grace After Meals is a traditional Catholic prayer of thanksgiving said after eating. It expresses gratitude for all of God's benefits, both material and spiritual. This short prayer, often paired with a prayer for the dead, sanctifies the daily act of eating and recalls our dependence on God's providence.

Prayer Text

What is the Grace After Meals?

The practice of giving thanks after meals has ancient roots in Jewish tradition and the example of Jesus Christ himself. The specific Latin formula, 'Agimus tibi gratias,' became standardized in the medieval Church and was included in the Roman Breviary. The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that the blessing of meals is a venerable Christian tradition (CCC 2698). The addition of a prayer for the souls of the faithful departed is a customary act of charity often appended to daily prayers.

What does the Grace After Meals mean?

This prayer transforms the simple act of eating into an act of worship and gratitude. By thanking God for 'all Thy benefits,' the prayer acknowledges His divine providence extends far beyond the food on the table to every gift of life and grace. It fulfills the scriptural call to give thanks in all circumstances. The concluding prayer for the dead connects our earthly meal with the communion of saints, uniting the family table with the whole Church, both living and deceased.

When Do Catholics Pray the Grace After Meals?

Grace After Meals is prayed immediately following any meal, whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a fundamental daily prayer for individuals, families, and religious communities. Praying it together as a family is a powerful way to instill a habit of gratitude in children. It sanctifies the end of a meal, reorienting the mind and heart back to God before returning to the day's activities, and is appropriate after any occasion, from a simple snack to a holiday feast.

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