Go Ahead Bless Yourself, Say Grace At A Diner.

[Ed Normile]

The previous two decades pretty well have wiped out any of the mentoring roles of seniors, possibly to the point they need mentoring. I see by the activity here in these forums there are many who are devout in their faith and arguably many who are searching, if not for faith maybe for validation in their belief system. God bless you all, I see a lot of youth, brings hope and joy for my thoughts of the future. I would like to call all of you to be visible in your faith. Bless yourself and say grace before all your meals, you may inspire a revival in the lukewarm christianity of another. Other great practises can inculed, my favorite Blessing yourself when passing a catholic church as you knw the true Presence of Jesus is reserved there in the Holy Sacrement of the Eucharist. What a way to honor Him, and if someone asks you why, explain it to them. Saying a quick act of contrition after blessing yourself when passing or visiting a cemetery is not only a wonderful practise for the souls in purgatory who can not pray for themselves but it also carries an indulgence when done piously. I am not saying to be overt to attract attention to yourself, but people will notice, possibly those who are searching, what a gift to God to bring him a soul, why not be a shepherd yourself? I would suggest offering a prayer at the sound of a firetruck or ambulance passing by when you can, offer the prayer for the safety of the firemen or paramedics and the safety of those they are called to help, this feels good inside, I would dare to say inside your soul.

Give it a try, the worse you can do is be belittled by someone for these practises, remember Jesus said "Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

ed

[eagle_eye222001]

My family always says grace at restaurants and when I go by myself I try to do the same. I have gotten three compliments in the past 1.5 years and 0 complaints.

[zunshynn]

I saw three ladies say grace at the restaurant where I work today. I think they were kind of embarrassed because I looked at them... I was just surprised... lol... hopefully they didn't think I looked at them because I disapproved or anything. It was nice because it balanced out my disgust with the creepy, perverted guy that kept hitting on me.

[KeenanParkerII]

It makes me happy to see people/families saying grace before eating. Most of my family is hardcore, like really hardcore.. protestant, but that hasn't stopped me yet from saying my prayers, praying the rosary and crossing myself. It's a blessing: we ought to make good on it.

EDIT: I am rather quiet about it though. No need to start a religious war over turkey. <__<

Edited January 5, 2010 by KeenanParkerII

[Hilde]

I've been encouraged not to wear a mask in public.

[AccountDeleted]

I think it would be great if more people did it, but I think that embarrassment or fear of seeming to want to draw attention to oneself might prevent people. But I was out with Rosalind Moss at a restaurant one day, and she just asked me if we could say grace before the meal, and she quite happily did so out loud. I was so humbled at her total lack of concern about anyone else's reaction. I have never felt ashamed to say grace ever again, whether alone or in company.

Now I always say grace before meals (and make the sign of the Cross as well), even when I am out with my agnostic and/or atheist family and friends. I don't try to draw attention to myself, but I just quietly ask them to give me moment and then pray aloud quietly to myself. Last time I did it with my sister at a restaurant, she said that she would just take the time while I was praying to "be present with her meal" which to me, is just her agnostic way of praying.

I also pray the Rosary in public, usually in a very low voice, and often pray the Office when travelling on public transport. It would be so great if more people were seen to be praying in public, then perhaps the fear or imagined "stigma" of doing it would just disappear. Prayer warriors for Jesus

[TeresaBenedicta]

I almost always bless myself and say grace before meals. But most of the time I pray silently, even when I'm at school and at table with other Catholic friends (who also pray before meals).

[zunshynn]

I've actually been really bad about saying grace since I left the monastery... even at home, it's terrible! Part of the problem is probably that I rarely actually sit down and eat a meal... which is probably not a good thing in the first place. And I think I got so used to how grace is done in the refectory that it just totally slips my mind now that it isn't the same situation. I also can never remember it English, and I'm not really one to make up my own off the top of my head.

[Sojourner]

My friends who have been in the service industry tell me they cringed when they saw people in restaurants praying before a meal, because it often meant they got very small tips compared to the non-grace sayers. I've heard this from several people (the majority of whom are Christian) in several states.

[mariahLVzJP2]

I say grace in front of my agnostic co-workers. at first they thought i was weird and now theyre used to it. now when we all go out to eat together, one of my co-workers asks, "did you say a blessing for all of our food?" ..i think thats awesome!

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Terra Firma' date='05 January 2010 - 01:14 PM' timestamp='1262718882' post='2030269']
My friends who have been in the service industry tell me they cringed when they saw people in restaurants praying before a meal, because it often meant they got very small tips compared to the non-grace sayers. I've heard this from several people (the majority of whom are Christian) in several states.
[/quote]
I give really really good tips.

[AccountDeleted]

[quote name='Terra Firma' date='06 January 2010 - 06:14 AM' timestamp='1262718882' post='2030269']
My friends who have been in the service industry tell me they cringed when they saw people in restaurants praying before a meal, because it often meant they got very small tips compared to the non-grace sayers. I've heard this from several people (the majority of whom are Christian) in several states.
[/quote]


Yes, but they get something much more valuable - prayers! I pray for everyone I come into contact with during the day, especially those who serve me. I tip, but only the minimum since I can't afford any more, but I do pray!

[Ed Normile]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='05 January 2010 - 02:09 PM' timestamp='1262718557' post='2030265']
I've actually been really bad about saying grace since I left the monastery... even at home, it's terrible! Part of the problem is probably that I rarely actually sit down and eat a meal... which is probably not a good thing in the first place. And I think I got so used to how grace is done in the refectory that it just totally slips my mind now that it isn't the same situation. I also can never remember it English, and I'm not really one to make up my own off the top of my head.
[/quote]

I do not know about the manner they say grace in a monastery, but here is a simple one in english.

Bless us O Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to recieve, through thy bounty and through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ed

[tojo]

[quote name='KeenanParkerII' date='05 January 2010 - 01:54 AM' timestamp='1262674478' post='2030083']
No need to start a religious war over turkey. <__<
[/quote]

The Greeks have disagreed often.




jk

[zunshynn]

[quote name='Ed Normile' date='05 January 2010 - 08:23 PM' timestamp='1262748203' post='2030547']
I do not know about the manner they say grace in a monastery, but here is a simple one in english.

Bless us O Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to recieve, through thy bounty and through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ed
[/quote]

yeah... and that's the one I forget! As simple as it is! lol

Or rather I'll remember part of it in Latin and part of it in English, and confuse it with the prayer for Grace after Meals.