Just as praying before a meal, praying after a meal is meant to inspire in Christians an attitude of thanksgiving and an acknowledgment of our dependence on God.

Though it is a less common practice in the modern world, early Church fathers like Tertullian and St. Jerome extolled the importance of praying after a meal, and the Christian poet Prudentius composed hymns for before and after meals (“ante cibum” and “post cibum”).

There are no “official” prayers for after a meal, but the most common one said by Catholics is this: “We give thee thanks, almighty God, for all your benefits, who lives and reigns forever and ever. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.” It is a benediction which recalls our perpetual fellowship with the entire Body of Christ, including those who have passed from this life.

©LPi

We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.