For use in a group, we have put together the Thanksgiving Table Blessing in the following PowerPoint format. You can also find the simple text below.

Downloadable formats are available to registered FRESHImage members, and a shorter version can also be found here.

(The following text taken from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers, 178-179)

When all have gathered at table, they make the sign of the cross.

Leader: God has filled us with ever good thing.

R/. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Then the Scripture is read by the leader or another of those present:

Listen to the words of the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (3:12-17):

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

R/. Thanks be to God.

After a time of silence, the leader prays:

Lord, we thank you for the goodness of our people and for the spirit of justice that fills this nation. We thank you for the beauty and fullness of the land and the challenges of the cities. We thank you for our work and our rest, for one another, and for our homes.

We thank you, Lord:

Pause for those gathered to offer their prayers of thanksgiving.

For all that we have spoken and for all that we keep in our hearts, accept our thanksgiving on this day. Keep us ever mindful of those who lack the necessities of life and make us generous in sharing all that we have.

We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

All make the sign of the cross as the leader concludes:

May God bless the food and friendship that we share and fill our hearts with gratitude and generous love.

R/. Amen.

An appropriate song such as “Now Thank We All Our God” may then be sung.

From USCCB, Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers (Washington, D.C., 2007), 178-179.

Tony’s reflection on this blessing can be found here.