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In “Tradition,” the opening theme of Fiddler On The Roof, a young man asks a Rabbi if there’s a proper blessing for the Tsar. “A blessing for the Tsar?” replies the Rabbi.“Of course! May God bless and keep the Tsar … far away from us!”
Catholic tradition also seems to have a blessing for everything. We have already shared with you, in previous posts, blessings for beer and cheese. But in the very same Chapter VIII of the Rituale Romanum (the one in which most “blessings of things designated for ordinary use” are found), one finds a particular blessing for lard which, even though it’s not the same, in fact applies to the bacon you might be adding to your burger. And right before that one, because Mother Church is that wise, one finds the blessing of the cheese.
Bon appetit!
Blessing of cheese:
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. All: Who made heaven and earth. P: The Lord be with you. All: May He also be with you. Let us pray. Lord God almighty, if it please you, bless + and sanctify + this creature, cheese (or butter), which by your power has been made from the fat of animals. Grant that those of your faithful who eat it may be sated with a blessing from on high, with your grace and all good things; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. It is sprinkled with holy water.
Blessing of lard:
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. All: Who made heaven and earth. P: The Lord be with you. All: May He also be with you. Let us pray. Lord, bless + this creature, lard, and let it be a healthful food for mankind. Grant that everyone who eats it with thanksgiving to your holy name may find it a help in body and in soul; through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. It is sprinkled with holy water.
And today we celebrate...