Bless, O Lord, these gifts of creation that they may be a The Order of Blessing means of salvation to the human race, And grant that, by of Food the invocation of Your Holy Name, they may promote health of body, and salvation of soul in those who partake of them, through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

All our Easter Foods are sprinkled with holy water.

God of glory, the eyes of all turn to You as we celebrate Christ's victory over sin and death. Bless us and this food of our first Easter meal. May we who gather at the Lord's table continue to celebrate the joy of his resurrection and Priest: Throughout we have been preparing for the be admitted finally to His heavenly banquet. Grant this resurrection of the Lord by prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, through Christ our Lord. and now we are ready to rejoice with the entire Church in R. Amen. the our Lord. Our Lenten fasting is a reminder of our hunger and thirst for holiness, which is May Christ always nourish you and strengthen you in faith satisfied only by Christ who feeds and nourishes us by His and love, now and for ever. word and sacraments. When we gather at our first meal of R. Amen. Easter may this food be a sign for us of that heavenly banquet to which the Lord calls us. And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. A reading: R. Amen After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the , the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?' He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, 'Six months’ wages would not be enough bread for each of them to get a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, there is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two Prayers of Blessing fish. But what are they among so many people?' Jesus said, 'Make the people sit down.' Now there was a great deal of Blessing of Lamb grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he Let us pray. God, who by your servant Moses commanded distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as your people in their deliverance from Egypt to kill a lamb as a much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his type of our Lord Jesus Christ, and prescribed that its blood be disciples, 'Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing used to sign the two door-posts of their homes; may it please may be be lost.' So they gathered them up, and from the you to bless + and sanctify + this flesh which we, your fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had servants, desire to eat in praise of you. We ask this in virtue of eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and sign that he had done, they began to say, 'This is indeed the reigns with you forever and ever. prophet who is to come into the world.' All: Amen.

Intercessions Blessing of Eggs

The Son of God who invites us to the Paschal feast stands Let us pray. Lord, let the grace of your blessing + come upon ready to help. Let us call upon Him in our need. these eggs, that they be healthful food for your faithful who R. Lord, prepare us for the feast of life. eat them in thanksgiving for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. That Easter may find us cleansed of sin and ready to live All: Amen. anew our Christian faith, we pray to the Lord. R. Blessing of Bread That the bread we share may be a reminder of the Bread of Life we share in the Eucharist, we pray to the Lord. R. Let us pray. Holy Lord and Father, almighty everlasting God, be pleased to bless + this bread, imparting to it your hallowed That we may be ready to give from our table to those who favour from on high. May it be for all who eat of it a healthful hunger and thirst, we pray to the Lord. R. food for body and soul, as well as a safeguard against every disease and all assaults of the enemy. We ask this of our Lord That we may one day enjoy the banquet of the Lord in the Jesus Christ, your Son, the bread of life who came down from heavenly Kingdom, we pray to the Lord. R. heaven and gives life and salvation to the world; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, Christ taught us to pray for our daily bread forever and ever. and so we dare to say: All: Amen.

Our Father...