Dearest friends, the Church made it possible that everyone of her members should pray for the dead at least 1095 times every year.ย Do you know how that is possible?
If you faithfully say your prayers BEFORE and AFTER meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) everyday, you will arrive at that (3×365 days). Remember that the traditional Catholic prayer AFTER meals has this attachment: โMay the souls of the faithful departed – Through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.”
Have you seen that the Church’s prayers are divinely inspired. As a faithful Catholic, then, you have to prefer the Church’s approved prayers before and after meals and not the self-composed and often โmicrowave” prayers that people rattle over their meals these days.
Parents, teachers and all who have the care of others, kindly remember that you have the OBLIGATION of teaching these prayers to those under you in your own preferred language. Again, as a faithful Catholic, do not allow yourself to be omitting prayers before and after meals. It is a sign of INGRATITUDEย to God.
Lastly, it is observable that most often than not, people, after saying the prayer before meals, forget to say the one after meals. Very often the reason is that stories follow up immediately after meals. I suggest that, if possible, let the prayers be said before the stories.
๐๐ผ NOTE: It is within that prayer after meals that the FAITHFUL DEPARTED are prayed for.
๐๐ผDO NOT FORGET: Praying for the dead is one of the great works of charity that has enormous rewards here and hereafter (Cf. 2 Macc 12:46, Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 958, 1032, 1689).
Please, let us go back to this holy and rewarding tradition.
These are the prayers, in case you have forgotten:
PRAYER BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS
BEFORE:
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
AFTER:
We give you thanks, almighty God, for all your benefits, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
May the souls of the faithful departed – Through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Remain blessed๐๐ผ
