Editor’s Note:  In his book, The School of Jesus Crucified, Father Ignatius of the Side of Jesus, Passionist, outlines 25 points as a “Practical Rule of Christian Life for Daily Observance”.  We will publish one a day. 

Point 18  

“When you take your meals, remember that Jesus Crucified had not even a drop of water wherewith to assuage His thirst during the last hours of His bitter agony.  Never sit down to your meals without first saying some short prayer; nor rise from them without lifting up your mind and heart with feelings of sincere gratitude for His goodness, and conclude by making the Sign of the Cross.  Such has ever been the pious custom of all the Faithful from the earliest ages of the Church.  To do otherwise would show a great want of piety, and be an imitation of the pagans and infidels.”