Latin grace

My university days seem like a dream, sometimes. Sure, it was almost 35 years ago, but it's more than that.

Both my school and University followed the 'Oxbridge' tradition. (That's a portmanteau of Oxford and Cambridge). Both institutions were grand and tradition-bound and old and elegant and beautiful and classy.

At university, I attended a residential college, St Hilda's. The colleges, too, were modelled on Oxbridge tradition with rowing and cricket clubs, choirs, debating teams, live-in tutors, and well stocked libraries. We dressed in academic gowns for dinner, had Junior and Senior Common Rooms, were invited to 'High Table', (literally a high table, raised at the front of the room and reserved for the academic fellows, the Headmaster and their guests) and even said grace before meals in Latin.

I had an exceptional education, and very good fun, but like I say, nowadays it all seems like a dream. A very Hogwarts-like dream.

The other day I realised that over the course of the decades I'd forgotten the grace. Just when Jemimah's Latin was good enough for her to enjoy knowing it, too. So I hopped onto Facebook, found an alumni page and asked. And here it is, in case I ever forget it again. Or in case you, too, would like to say grace in Latin.

Academic gowns and a raised high table optional.

 

Benedic, domine, hoc frumentum, et nostram communitatem per Christum Dominum nostrum.

Amen.

Translation: Bless O Lord, this food and our community, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.