Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family, friends, and of course, food. But what about the religious aspect of the holiday? What about thanking God for all he’s done in our lives? In this blog post, we will explore Catholic prayer for Thanksgiving dinner. From blessings to grace before meals, this prayer can help you connect with God during your Thanksgiving feast.
Catholic Prayers for Thanksgiving Dinner
In Catholic tradition, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for the blessings of life. Families gather around the dinner table to share food, fellowship and prayers.
One of the most popular Catholic prayers for Thanksgiving dinner is the Our Father. This prayer starts with “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Catholics believe that God’s forgiveness extends to all of humanity, so this prayer is often prayed together as a family.
Another common prayer at Thanksgiving dinner is the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer asks for guidance from God in times of need and requests that God bless humanity. It typically begins by asking for protection from all evil and ends with a petition asking for eternal happiness.
Other common prayers include the Ave Maria, The Glory Be to Thee O Lord Christ Jesus, The Angelus and The Our Father (in Latin). Different families have their own favorites, so it’s worth bringing along a copy of the Catholic Prayer Book when hosting Thanksgiving dinner!
The History of Thanksgiving
The first recorded Thanksgiving was in 1587 when the Pilgrims, who had landed on Plymouth Rock, celebrated the harvest with a feast of thanksgiving. The holiday quickly spread to the colonies and soon became a national tradition.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for an annual national Thanksgiving Day celebration to be held on the last Thursday of November. In 1871, Congress officially recognized Thanksgiving as a national holiday.
In 1912, President Woodrow Wilson declared that Thanksgiving should be devoted to “the cause of humanity.” This led to charitable work being performed on Thanksgiving Day by organizations such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill.
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated all across America in different ways and by different people. Families gather around a traditional table laden with turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, etc. Many choose to take part in charitable giving activities as well.
The Prayer for Thanksgiving
Hey friends,
This Thanksgiving, let’s all join together in prayer. Catholic prayer is a great way to connect with God and create a heartfelt Thanksgiving dinner.
The Catholic Prayer for Thanksgiving Dinner begins with the Sign of the Cross: “In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.” This simple gesture reminds us that we are praying in the name of our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
After we say Our Father, we recite our Thanksgiving Proclamation: “Thanks be unto God for all His goodness and for His lovingkindness which He has shown towards us throughout all these years.” We also recite some prayers or petitions related to Thanksgiving: “Grant us this day our daily bread,” ” Lead us not into temptation,” “Protect us from evil,” and so on. Finally, we pray for peace on earth and goodwill toward men.
Catholic prayer can be used as a way to connect with others at the Thanksgiving table and create a meaningful Thanksgiving experience. Let’s take some time this year to pray together and celebrate the holiday in an honoring way!
Conclusion
Thank you for this wonderful holiday, and may God bless us all during this Thanksgiving dinner. We ask Him to provide us with food that is both nutritious and pleasing to the palate, and to guide our thoughts and words in a manner that will bring peace and understanding to those around us. Amen.