Galatians 3:22 Sed conclusit Scriptura omnia sub peccato, ut promissio ex fide Jesu Christi daretur credentibus; But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Luke 17:17-18 Respondens autem Jesus, dixit:  Nonne decem mundati sunt? Et novem ubi sunt?  Non est inventus qui rediret, et daret gloriam Deo, nisi hic alienigena; And Jesus answering said:  Were not ten made clean?  And where are the nine?  There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger.

Dear Faithful and Friends,

In Latin we say ex animo grato or ex anima grata, which means from a grateful soul or person, from a grateful heart.  In Latin we often pray: Gratias tibi ago Domine pro universis beneficiis tuis: I give Thee thanks O Lord for your many and bountiful blessings and gifts to me.  To have a grateful heart is to see that one is blessed in so many ways, too many to count.   The prism of gratitude is a joyful and loving way to view God, others, and the world around us.  Gratitude in the heart is the key that opens us up to love.   Not to be grateful is to close oneself off from love because then no one, nothing is ever good enough.  To be ungrateful is to be blind to the hand of God in even the simplest moments of life.

When many of us were children, we were taught to say prayers before and after all our meals, whether at home or elsewhere, no matter where we were.  In some families a different member would take his or her turn in leading the traditional prayers.  In my home it was always my mother or Father, usually my father.    Many recall the classic painting by Norman Rockwell for Thanksgiving Day, which shows a family with heads bowed down in prayer.  Those who were ever close to farm life know well the gratitude of a farm family after the harvest, even during difficult times, because they know how all depends on God.  Even though we must work hard, it is only by his grace that we have the strength to work and do our best to provide for ourselves and our families.  

I think that the practice of family prayer should be revived.  The traditional family prayers before and after meals are quite simple.  There are longer versions used in monasteries, convents, and seminaries.   Before meals we have traditionally prayed the following short prayer:

Benedic, Domine, nos et haec tua dona quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi.  Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then there is the traditional short family prayer after meals:

Gratias agimus tibi, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Fidelium animae defunctorum  per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. Amen.

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

Parents do their children a tremendous favor if they hand on to them a sincere and profound spirit of thankfulness, of gratitude.  Authentic gratitude gives us a refreshing perspective on life.  A grateful person is thankful most of all to our heavenly Father for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, specially made present to us in the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Thanksgiving.    In fact, the word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word that means “to give thanks.” True gratitude brings happiness in this world and forever in the next.  We hope to spend an eternity adoring God, praising Him, and thanking Him for loving us so much that he brought about our salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The devout Catholic family obeys the Lord’s solemn command that He gave us at the Last Supper right before He died and rose for us.  After consecrating the bread and wine He said: “Do this in memory of me!”  The priest repeats these words at every Mass.  We assist at the Holy Mass, at least on all Sundays and Holydays because the Lord wants us close to Him always under the appearances of bread and wine.   He did everything for us, we respond by doing what He asks of us.

You will find in the vestibules of the church prayer cards with the basic Family Prayers and the method of making a good confession.  Please take as many copies as you would like for your family and use them regularly.  Indeed, the family that prays together stays together.

Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Fr. Mark G. Mazza