Trinity College, Cambridge - College Grace

College Grace

Each evening before dinner, grace is recited by the senior Fellow presiding. The simple grace is as follows:

Benedic, Domine, nos et dona tua, (Bless us, Lord, and these gifts)

quae de largitate tua sumus sumpturi, (which, through your generosity, we are about to receive)

et concede, ut illis salubriter nutriti (and grant that we, wholesomely nourished by them,)

tibi debitum obsequium praestare valeamus, (may be able to offer you the service we owe)

per Christum Dominum nostrum. (through Christ our Lord)

If both of the two High Tables are in use then the following antiphonal formula is prefixed to the main grace:

A. Oculi omnium in te sperant Domine: (The eyes of all are on you, Lord)

B. Et tu das escam illis in tempore. (and you give them their food, in due time.)

A. Aperis tu manum tuam, (You open your hand)

B. Et imples omne animal benedictione. (and bestow upon all living things your blessing.)

Following the meal, the simple formula Benedicto benedicatur is pronounced.