Sarah Mitchell
Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November. While the holiday has its roots in the harvest festivals of the Middle Ages, it is also associated with the Pilgrims who sailed to the New World in 1620 and celebrated a three-day harvest festival in 1621. For Catholics, Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks to God and celebrate the Eucharist. Many Catholic families attend Mass on Thanksgiving morning and incorporate a traditional blessing over the food. Some parishes have a small celebration with treats after Mass, and it is also a nice gesture to invite one's parish priest to dinner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 4th Thursday of November |
| History | The first Thanksgiving was a Catholic celebration by Spanish colonists in 1565 |
| The celebration included Mass and a feast with Native Americans | |
| The practice of giving thanks has been part of the earliest traditions of families settling in the US | |
| The celebration of Thanksgiving traces its roots to the Puritan pilgrims of Plymouth Rock | |
| How to celebrate | Go to Mass |
| Bless the food | |
| Pray for those going without | |
| Invite the parish priest to dinner | |
| Play games, watch parades, and spend time with family |
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What You'll Learn
The Eucharist and Mass
Thanksgiving is not a holy day of obligation in the Catholic tradition, but many Catholics choose to attend Mass on Thanksgiving Day. This is because the Eucharist is a way to give thanks through Christ Jesus for his sacrifice on our behalf. The Greek word "eucharistein" and the Hebrew word "toda" both mean "thanksgiving", and the Eucharist is also referred to as the "thanksgiving sacrifice".
The Eucharist is the last remaining religious sacrificial offering in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It is a participation in the heavenly liturgy described in the Book of Revelation. It is also a participation in the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary, which is made present in the Eucharist.
The Mass is the ultimate thanksgiving. In the New Testament, the Sacrifice of the Mass contains the same fourfold purpose prescribed by natural law. The early Christians were aware of this and called the Blessed Sacrament offered in the Mass "Eucharist" or "thanksgiving".
In the Catholic Church, every day of the year is "Thanksgiving Day", as liturgically, the need for Thanksgiving to God is completely fulfilled by Christ's sacrifice in the Mass. However, there are special manifestations of thanksgiving on certain occasions, such as the end of an epidemic, liberation from a disaster, or the signing of a peace treaty.
In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is a holiday with special religious ties. Many parishes offer a blessing of food at the Thanksgiving Day Mass, where parishioners bring the bread and wine that they will later share with family and friends for a special blessing.
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Secular celebrations
Thanksgiving is celebrated as a secular holiday in the United States, Canada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Germany. Although it has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, Thanksgiving is celebrated by people of all faiths and backgrounds.
In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and is a federal holiday. It is a time for family and friends to gather and share a meal, often including turkey, potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. Parades and football games are also associated with Thanksgiving. The holiday has its origins in the 1621 harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe, but it has evolved to become a secular festival that ignites the celebratory spirit in people of all faiths and none.
In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October and is a statutory holiday in all provinces except New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. While the original Parliament declaration referenced God, the holiday is now mostly celebrated in a secular manner. Families gather for a meal, give thanks for the closing of the harvest season, and celebrate with parades and football games.
Thanksgiving in other countries, such as Saint Lucia, Liberia, Brazil, and Germany, may not have the same level of secular celebration as in North America, but it is still observed and recognised as a day of giving thanks and celebrating the harvest. These celebrations often incorporate cultural and religious traditions unique to each country.
Overall, while Thanksgiving has religious roots and is still celebrated as a religious holiday by some, it has largely become a secular festival in many countries, allowing people of all faiths and backgrounds to gather, give thanks, and celebrate community and cultural traditions.
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The first Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States, steeped in religious connotations. While most Americans are familiar with the history of Thanksgiving, many historians claim that the first Thanksgiving was a Catholic celebration.
The "first" Thanksgiving that most Americans think of was in 1621 when the Pilgrims celebrated a successful harvest in their new North American home. However, this celebration was preceded by several other Thanksgiving events, two of which were historically significant Catholic Thanksgivings.
The first of these Catholic Thanksgivings took place on September 8, 1565, in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. On this day, Spanish colonists and Timucuan Indians came together to celebrate Mass and share a feast, giving thanks to God for their safe passage and arrival in the New World. This event, which included the celebration of Mass, a feast, and giving thanks to God, sets the precedent for how Catholics continue to celebrate Thanksgiving today.
Another Catholic Thanksgiving occurred in Texas in 1589, involving Spanish colonists and Native Americans. This event also included a Catholic Mass and a feast, further highlighting the Catholic influence on the earliest Thanksgiving celebrations in America.
While Thanksgiving is a secular holiday, Catholics can incorporate their faith into the celebrations in several ways. Many Catholic families start the day by attending Mass, giving thanks to God and uniting themselves with Christ Jesus and all the angels and saints. They may also invite their parish priest to dinner, say grace before the meal, and pray for those in need.
In addition to these religious elements, Catholic families also engage in secular Thanksgiving traditions such as enjoying a large meal, watching football, and spending time with family and friends.
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Giving thanks to God
Thanksgiving is a time for Catholics to give thanks to God for the blessings they have received. While Thanksgiving is not a holy day of obligation, many Catholics choose to attend Mass on Thanksgiving Day to give thanks through Christ Jesus. The Mass is a powerful reminder of God's goodness and a chance to unite with Christ and all the angels and saints in gratitude.
The tradition of giving thanks during the harvest season has deep roots in Catholic history. In medieval times, the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours (Martinmas) was a significant harvest and thanksgiving celebration, with Mass, games, dances, parades, and a festive dinner of roast goose and "Saint Martin's wine". This tradition was carried to the New World by the Pilgrims, who celebrated a three-day thanksgiving in 1621, feasting on wild turkeys, geese, deer, lobsters, oysters, and fish.
The first Thanksgiving in the United States is often associated with the Puritan settlers of Plymouth Rock. However, historians have identified earlier Thanksgiving celebrations with a Catholic presence. In 1565, Spanish colonists and Native Americans gathered in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, to celebrate Mass and give thanks for their safe passage to the New World. Another Catholic Thanksgiving was celebrated in Texas in 1589, with Mass, a feast, and the participation of Native Americans. These early Thanksgivings demonstrate the deep connection between the Catholic Mass and the act of giving thanks.
Today, Catholic families can incorporate faith into their Thanksgiving celebrations in various ways. Attending Mass on Thanksgiving morning is a meaningful way to start the day by giving thanks to God. Families can also bless their food, pray for those in need, and serve their communities by volunteering at soup kitchens or donating food baskets. Coming together as a community and sharing our gratitude with others are essential aspects of Catholic Thanksgiving traditions.
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Catholic communities
Thanksgiving is a significant holiday for Catholic communities, who view it as an opportunity to give thanks to God and celebrate with loved ones. While the day is marked by secular traditions like football and feasting on turkey, Catholics can incorporate their faith through various practices. Attending Mass is a common way for Catholics to begin Thanksgiving Day, expressing gratitude to God and uniting with Christ and the saints. This tradition has deep roots, as historically, Catholic settlers celebrated Mass before their Thanksgiving feasts.
In addition to Mass, Catholic communities may invite their parish priest to join their Thanksgiving dinner, fostering a sense of community and allowing families to experience vocations. Blessing the food and praying for those in need are also integral parts of the celebration, reminding Catholics to be thankful for God's provisions and to share their blessings with others. Some parishes organize food drives or serve meals at soup kitchens, embodying the spirit of giving and service.
For Catholic families, Thanksgiving is a time to gather and reflect on the meaning of the holiday. They may share what they are thankful for and engage in acts of service together, such as visiting homeless shelters or helping neighbours. These traditions strengthen family bonds and reinforce the importance of gratitude and giving back, which are central to the Catholic faith.
The history of Thanksgiving is also significant for Catholic communities, who acknowledge that the first Thanksgiving celebrations were Catholic. In 1565, Spanish colonists in St. Augustine, Florida, celebrated Mass and feasted with the native Timucuans, giving thanks to God. This event, along with another Catholic Thanksgiving in Texas in 1589, predates the more widely known Puritan Thanksgiving in Massachusetts. Recognizing these earlier celebrations highlights the Catholic influence in America's early history and the enduring connection between the Mass and the act of giving thanks.
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Frequently asked questions
Thanksgiving is a significant occasion for Catholics to give thanks to God and unite themselves with Christ Jesus and all the angels and saints. It is a day to remember God's goodness and intimate presence in our lives.
Catholics may start the day by going to Mass to give thanks to God. They may also incorporate a traditional blessing over the food and share what they are thankful for. Some may choose to serve at a soup kitchen before or after their meal to give back to the community.
There are several accounts of the first Thanksgiving, some of which predate the arrival of the Mayflower and the Puritan settlers in Massachusetts. One account claims that in 1565, Spanish colonists celebrated Mass and had a feast with native Timucuans in St. Augustine, Florida. Another account mentions a similar celebration in Texas in 1589 or 1598. These events highlight the Catholic roots of Thanksgiving and the intimate connection between the Mass and the act of giving thanks.
Some Catholic families may start the day by attending Mass together. They may also incorporate a blessing over the food and share what they are thankful for. Other traditions include serving others through acts of service, such as volunteering at a homeless shelter or preparing meals for those in need.
