Thanksgiving Through a Catholic Lens

CWM
Nov 12
2 min read

When we think of Thanksgiving, most of us picture golden-brown turkeys, pumpkin pie, and family gatherings. But for Catholics, this holiday can be much more than a festive feast—it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on gratitude, faith, and God’s blessings.

A Brief History of Thanksgiving

The story of Thanksgiving in America often begins in 1621, when the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, celebrated their first successful harvest. They shared a meal with the Wampanoag people, who had helped them survive the harsh winter. While the first feast wasn’t a formal holiday, it was a heartfelt celebration of community, survival, and thankfulness for God’s provision.

Over the next two centuries, different colonies observed “days of thanksgiving” at various times.

It wasn’t until 1863, during the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, calling for a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

In 1941, Congress officially set Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November—a tradition we continue today.

Interestingly, the first Thanksgiving meal probably didn’t include turkey and pumpkin pie. Instead, the Pilgrims likely ate deer, fish, corn, beans, and squash. The foods we now associate with Thanksgiving developed over time, but the heart of the holiday—gratitude—remains the same.

Why Thanksgiving Matters for Catholics

At its core, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. Catholics are called to gratitude every day: in prayers before meals, in the Rosary, and especially in the Eucharist, which literally means “thanksgiving.” The holiday is a chance to pause, reflect, and recognize God’s blessings—family, friends, health, faith, and even challenges that help us grow spiritually.

Thanksgiving is also an invitation to live out generosity. Volunteering at a local shelter, donating to a food pantry, or simply offering a kind word to someone who’s lonely are all ways to share God’s love and make gratitude tangible.