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03/05/2008, 12:42 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 2,046 Saying grace (giving thanks at the table) It is not something that I do at home but whenever I am invited to eat with different nationalities/ cultures if they do, I like to also, it has always served me well in other countries. I will be eating this Sunday, for the second time with a Catholic French family, last time I was not able to join in with their singing and making of the cross on the chest but said the only grace that I know in English, it seemed rather abrupt in comparison and didnt survive my translation very well. So I would like to ask if anyone can give me a message of thanks (in French) that will carry some meaning. - Without singing Thank you in advance    Report

03/05/2008, 12:46 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot (46) Posts 7,795 Re: Saying grace (giving thanks at the table) Have a look here: http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/french/fran028.htm Clair Real Virtual French Person    Report

03/05/2008, 13:27 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 2,046 Re: Saying grace (giving thanks at the table) Thank you Clair I think that prayer 1 was the one they used and sang the chorus, unfortunately it only has the first few words. I will probably use prayer 2  unless you know of another non catholic resource, as the mother is rather evangelical and may take my reciting of a catholic prayer to be a sign that I am ripe for conversion In prayer 3 there is an "ô", I have seen this before and not found it even in my largest dictionary, when I asked my ex teacher she wasnt aware of it and I thought pehaps I had imagined it! Now its existance is confirmed what does it mean? - I assume that the circonflex signifies a letter omitted from the old french word.    Report

03/05/2008, 13:55 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot (46) Posts 7,795 Re: Saying grace (giving thanks at the table) Here's another: http://tradition.free.fr/prieres.html#benedicites and another Seigneur, daigne bénir ce repas que nous allons prendre, ainsi que ceux qui l'ont préparé. Donne du pain à ceux qui n'en ont pas, et aide-nous à partager le nôtre. Amen. Do not worry about the ô, it's simply there to emphasise the words that follow. Clair Real Virtual French Person    Report

03/05/2008, 14:00 Albert the InfoGipsy Joined on 01/07/2006 Kingdom of the Middle Saxons & Vannes (56) Posts 633 Re: Saying grace (giving thanks at the table) A couple from my childhood: We thank the Lord for what we've had For a little more we would be glad But since the game is very bad We'll have to make do with what we've had.   (Sung) Always eat when you are hungry Always drink when you are dry Always wash when you are dirty Don't stop breathing or you'll die.   Albert the InfoGipsy "So welcome to the Citadel where the question is 'Am I?'"    Report

03/05/2008, 14:07 Ron Avery Joined on 29/11/2004 Aveyron 12 Posts 3,393 Re: Saying grace (giving thanks at the table) If you suddenly pipe up with an alternative grace after the host has finished don't you think that will seem extremely rude?  After all you are a guest. Surely all you need to do is bow your head and say amen (its the same word in French) at the end and after the prayer make the sign of the cross, which is not for the exclusive use of Roman Catholics, you are allowed even if you are a proddy. Why not post a sensible answer, people will appreciate it more    Report

03/05/2008, 14:12 Hoddy Joined on 23/08/2004 .....Forum Moderator..... NW Leics/SE Dordogne Posts 2,191 Re: Saying grace (giving thanks at the table) This will depend so much on the OPs beliefs won't it ? I'm afraid I couldn't bring myself to make the sign of the cross - allowed to doesn't come into it. Hoddy    Report

03/05/2008, 14:19 Ron Avery Joined on 29/11/2004 Aveyron 12 Posts 3,393 Re: Saying grace (giving thanks at the table) Well as he said Grace last time Hoddy I am assuming he is a push baptist or something close to a Christian!! Why not post a sensible answer, people will appreciate it more    Report

03/05/2008, 16:17 Tony F Dordogne Joined on 10/04/2005 Small village in the Dordogne, near St Cyprien Posts 1,516 Re: Saying grace (giving thanks at the table) And of course, which sort of a Protestant you are, some would be mortified if you made the sign of the cross. Tony F Dordogne (24) Huguenot Trails    Report

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