Consume Product

Catholic encyclopedia on the topic: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10198d.htm

"Mercy as it is here contemplated is said to be a virtue influencing one's will to have compassion for, and, if possible, to alleviate another's misfortune."

"The traditional enumeration of the corporal works of mercy is as follows":

> To feed the hungry;

> To give drink to the thirsty;

> To clothe the naked;

> To harbour the harbourless;

> To visit the sick;

> To ransom the captive;

> To bury the dead.

"The spiritual works of mercy are":

> To instruct the ignorant;

> To counsel the doubtful;

> To admonish sinners;

> To bear wrongs patiently;

> To forgive offences willingly;

> To comfort the afflicted;

> To pray for the living and the dead.

https://www.preces-latinae.org/thesaurus/Basics/Mensae.html

Before meals:

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

After meals:

> We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

From Baltimore Catechism #3 from 1921 (p. 28) about grace before / after meals:

https://archive.org/details/baltimore-catechism-no.-3-kinkead-1921/page/28/mode/2up

> Q. 112. What does "Grace" at meals mean?

> A. "Grace" at meals means the thanks we offer God for the food we are about to receive or have just taken.

> Q. 113. Why should we say "Grace" at meals.

> A. We should say "Grace" at meals to show our gratitude to God, who has given us all we possess and daily supplies our wants.

> Q. 114. Is it wrong to despise or waste our food?

> A. It is wrong to despise or waste our food, because we thereby slight the goodness of God, who owes us nothing.

> Q. 115. Is it a sin to neglect "Grace" at meals?

> A. It is not a sin to neglect "Grace" at meals, but only a mark of our ingratitude; for if we are to thank God for all His gifts we should do so especially at the time they are given.