Attend Mass before the meal
Did you know that the word Eucharist literally means “gratitude” or “thanksgiving”? Giving God thanks is at the heart of what we do whenever we go to Mass, so there’s no more appropriate way to incorporate thanks into your day than to start by giving thanks at the table of the Lord.
Read the day’s Scripture readings at your meal
The Scripture readings for Thanksgiving in the United States offer a beautiful text to read before your meal. You can find the full readings here:
A Gratitude Examen
Gratitude is one of the greatest spiritual practices. It opens our minds, calms our hearts, and rids bitterness of it’s power. The “examen” is a spiritual practice to reflect on how we have responded to God’s work in our lives. This Thanksgiving, consider your own reasons for thankfulness!
What Gifts have You given me?
How have I Received love from others?
How is grace at work in Aspects of my life story?
Do I Trust You to continue to bless me?
Where have I missed Your movements?
Have I used my Talents at the service of other?
Do I see a purpose for my life Underway?
How can I have the Discipline to thank You daily?
Help me give Everything back to You!
©LPi
Thanksgiving Day Prayer
Lord, we thank you
for the goodness of our people
and for the spirit of justice
that fills this nation.
We thank you for the beauty and fullness of the
land and the challenge of the cities.
We thank you for our work and our rest,
for one another, and for our homes.
We thank you, Lord:
accept our thanksgiving on this day.
We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
—from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers
Make a gratitude mural
There are many ways to make a gratitude mural that can double as decoration for your Thanksgiving meal: