Advent Mealtime Prayers
Before Dinner
| LEADER: | Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. |
| ALL: | Hosanna in the highest! |
| PRAYER: | All-powerful God, increase our will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome when he comes to call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. |
| ALL: | Amen. |
| LEADER: | Lord, have mercy. |
| ALL: | Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. |
| LEADER: | Our Father . . . (Continue in unison.) |
| LEADER: | Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts which we are about to receive from your bounty; through Christ our Lord. |
| ALL: | Amen. |
| LEADER: | May the King of eternal glory make us sit at his welcome table in heaven. |
| ALL: | Amen. |
After Dinner
| LEADER: | Drop down dew, you heavens from above, |
| ALL: | and let the earth bud forth a savior. |
| LEADER: | See, I come quickly, says the Lord. |
| ALL: | Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! |
| LEADER: | Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: |
| ALL: | As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. |
| LEADER: | God of love and truth, you loved the world so much that you sent your only Son to be our Savior and from a Virgin brought him forth for the world to see. May we receive him as our Lord and Brother and celebrate him as our gracious Redeemer. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. |
| ALL: | Amen. |
| LEADER: | Almighty God, we give you thanks for these and for all your gifts. You live and reign forever and ever. |
| ALL: | Amen. |
| LEADER: | Reward with eternal life, O Lord, all those who do us good for your name’s sake. |
| ALL: | Amen. |
| LEADER: | May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. |
| ALL: | Amen. |
Excerpted from A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions
William Storey
William G. Storey was professor emeritus of Liturgy and Church History at the University of Notre Dame.
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