Saying Grace in front of others

  • Thread starter Thread starter AMcD
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

AMcD

Guest
Hi guys, I need to know if it is a sin to say Grace before you eat away from where everyone is sitting? I don’t want people getting upset with me but I more importantly do not want to deny Jesus. Is it ok to day Grace away from others?
 
I often just pray over my food in my head. There’s such a thing as intentionally hiding your Catholic identity, which is a sin. But I also believe there’s such a thing as making everyone awkward for no real reason. So if you generally have trouble being Catholic in front of others maybe push yourself. Otherwise at least I think it’s fine to pray over your food privately/discreetly.
 
@AMcD

As @chessnerd321 posted, it’s fine for you to say your meal prayers silently to yourself. I just wanted to add that it’s not necessary to leave your group. You can say your silent prayers in their presence. Some people say their prayers without making the sign of the cross, some make a small sign of the cross with their thumb on their forehead, lips, and heart, and some only over their heart. Your call.

Stay in your comfort zone. As time goes on, you may want to trace the sign of the cross over your heart as you silently pray. Much depends upon your familarity with your meal companions. Best wishes to you!
 
I think you can serve as a better witness for Christ by saying grace unapologetically no matter who is around. This has actually afforded me opportunities to witness about Christ in the past. You never know who may be watching or listening.
 
It’s not my opinion that there’s such a thing as hiding your Catholic identity. That should be obvious. As to it being a sin, it’s still not my opinion. It’s the opinion of almost every detailed Catholic examination of conscience I’ve ever seen.

It’s not my job to hunt through the catechism for you.
 
Hodos. Same here. My Muslim friend actually stopped going to eat her meal and waited respectfully for me. She is exceptional I think! But also I said grace in a park before and two foreign Catholics saw me and asked where Mass was held!

I should add I used to be embarrassed about doing this. Now i just j do it even if I feel that and in fact that feeling has dwindled over time
 
Last edited:
Friends who respect you and respect your faith should have no problem with it. You can say it quietly to yourself. It does not have to be said out loud. My co workers and I eat lunch rogether from time to time and we all say grace before we eat. Its not a big to do. Each person just blesses their food quietly and its not a big deal.
 
Last edited:
Not really. I can trust the examination of conscience my pastor gave me without your approval.
 
Last edited:
AMcD said:
Hi guys, I need to know if it is a sin to say Grace before you eat away from where everyone is sitting?
Click to expand...
The thing to do is to simply cross yourself and say it silently; don’t let the sin of human respect make you offend a God rather than man. So what if someone get’s offended; if anything they may very well be inspired.
 
AMcD said:
Hi guys, I need to know if it is a sin to say Grace before you eat away from where everyone is sitting? I don’t want people getting upset with me but I more importantly do not want to deny Jesus. Is it ok to day Grace away from others?
Click to expand...
Look at it this way – are you ashamed to display your faith?
 
Only on CAF!

Yes, to deny your faith is mimicking Judas and constitutes sin. To pray silently is NOT denying your faith.

The OP is unsure of what to do and how to do it. Obviously, he’s concerned with doing the right thing. If he’s asking if he must pray in an area away from others, he has serious reservations about doing so, but still wants to be sure to pray.

So, are those of you insisting that he make an issue of obviously praying in front of others prepared to go to bat for him if praying is prohibited in his school?

@AMcD, many times people pray silently and without crossing themselves in their own homes. Since you’ve been given conflicting information here, please talk to your priest in person or give him a call, perhaps explaining to him more about the circumstances. Best wishes!
 
Minks said:
So, are those of you insisting that he make an issue of obviously praying in front of others prepared to go to bat for him if praying is prohibited in his school?
Click to expand...
You bet I am!

US Constitution:

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

The court has ruled this also extends to the states and inferior levels of Government. No government entity can prohibit you from exercising your religion.

Now, I do not say he should “make an issue” – just pray quietly when praying is indicated.
 
I have never seen someone being prohibited from praying at school or anywhere else on an individual.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top