Padre Pio wrote to his beloved spiritual daughter, Raffaelina Cerase, reminding her that mindfulness during meals can make them an opportunity for sanctification. He recommends not sitting down to a meal without having prayed first and having asked divine assistance, so that a meal is not simply a time for physical nourishment but an opportunity to renew our awareness of God’s presence, transforming the simple act of eating into a quiet act of devotion. 

This does not need to be burdensome. We don’t need lengthy prayers, complex rituals, exhausting reflections. We just need a simple moment of raising our minds and hearts to God as we prepare to eat. Never rise from the table, moreover, without having given due thanks to the Lord.

Prudence and moderation should be the golden rule in all our actions, especially in our diet and meals. Padre Pio encourages us to be satisfied with what we truly need, avoiding the temptation of over-indulgence. A small act of restraint at mealtime can help us cultivate self-discipline in other areas of life as well. 

But he doesn’t push for asceticism; his advice is rooted in balance and common sense, advising us to use ‘prudence’ as our guide. Prudence, he says, should be the rule in all our actions. 

Padre Pio shows that even the most ordinary routines, such as sitting down to a meal, when approached mindfully with a spiritual attitude, rather than simply going through the motions of filling our stomach while staring at our devices, can be an occasion to nourish not only our bodies but also our minds and souls.

As most of us live in community, be it with our spouse, in a family, or in a religious community, the time we share a meal together is a time for relaxing, bonding and happiness – provided we are mindful, temperate, and prudent. So, enjoy your next meal with these tips in mind!