Two questions concerning Grace

[Andruschak]

We have had a thread on aying grace in public restaurants, but I have two questions I need to have answered.

Background. Back when I was a whiz-kid teenager, I had no problems memorizing the Lutheran catechuism cover to cover, The creeds were a snap. Read the Bible cover to cover several times, and I can still quote large chuncks of it.

That was then. This is now.

Senior citizen moments. Not as good at memorizing prayers as I used to be. When I got that unexplainable inner urge from somewhere to start praying the rosary daily, I still remembered the Our father, the Creed, and the Glory Bee. Took some time to get Hail Mary down pat, followed by the Fatima Prayer. Now working on Hail Holy Queen.

But a quick search located the two prayers before and after meals, and I am making an effort to memorize those.

Question one: Are the two graces supposed to be recited standing up, sitting down, or is it optional?

Question two: Sign of the cross. Before, after, or both?

Bonus points for an answer on how to stop the cats from regarding my rosary as a cat toy, thus distracting me

 

[puzzleannie]

at the monastery grace before meals is recited with everyone standing at their place, grace after meals is recited at each table, sitting, when everyone is done eating. There is no rule, do as you wish. give the cats a catnip mouse while you are praying, they might leave your rosary alone (or, not).

 

[Boso]

What I usually see, especially in a public place is, sitting:

(sign of the cross) In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

[often an extemporaneous prayer is inserted]

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

(sign of the cross) In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Saying grace before meals standing, or saying grace after meals, is really nice but I don’t see it (esp the latter) very often in practice.

 

[paramedicgirl]

Make the sign of the cross before and after the grace prayers.
Grace is usually said seated, unless you are in a group, then it is often said standing, prior to being seated.

 

[blessedstar]

It seems to me they are trying to join in in everything you do as all pets love to stay close to their master so, say a decade of your Rosary for your cats and all God’s creatures great and small. You won’t have any bother after this.

 

[Andruschak]

It seems to me they are trying to join in in everything you do as all pets love to stay close to their master so, say a decade of your Rosary for your cats and all God’s creatures great and small. You won’t have any bother after this.

Good idea, I’ll try that tomorrow