Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback
Get Your 2025 Catholic Answers Calendar Today...Limited Copies Available

The Origin of the Meal Prayer

Question:

Where and when did the grace prayer "Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts" originate?

Answer:

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:

The benediction “Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts” etc., which is retained in our short grace, is to be found in the Gelasian Sacramentary.

The Gelasian Sacramentary dates back to the seventh or eighth century.

Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us