High Table Traditions- Saying Grace in Latin before dinner

Each night before dinner the Master, when present, or the senior Fellow dining, will say Grace in Latin. There are three versions of Grace that may be said, each of differing lengths.

“Benedictus Benedicat.”

[May the Blessed One bless]

Or

“Benedic, Domine, dona Tua in usum nostrum, et nos in servitium Tuum, per Iesum Christum, Dominum nostrum.”

[Bless Lord Your gifts in our use and ourselves in Your service, through Jesus Christ our Lord.]

Or

“Quidquid nobis apositum est, aut quidquid aponetur, Benedicat Deus haec Sua dona in usum nostrum, necnon nosmet ipsos in servitium Suum, per Iesum Christum, Dominum nostrum.”

[Whatever has been or may be set before us, may God bless these gifts of His in our use and ourselves also in His service, through Jesus Christ our Lord.]

At the end of dinner, the senior Fellow present (not necessarily presiding) will say:

“Laus Deo”

[Praise be to God]

To which those dining respond:

“Deo gratias”

[Thanks be to God]

The longer Grace for the beginning of Dinner is from J.F. Bethune-Baker (Fellow, 1914-1951, Lady Margaret’s Professor); the shorter from M.B. Dewey (Fellow, 1936-1983, Dean).