Here are some selections on gratitude from our Vincentian heritage….
Abelly, one of Vincent’s early biographers wrote,
“He used to say that nothing was so efficacious in winning the heart of God as a spirit of gratitude for his gifts and blessings. In this spirit he had the custom of thanking God often for the gifts from his bounty to all sorts of creatures, going back to the beginning of the world. He also thanked God for the good works accomplished through the inspiration of his grace, and he urged others to do the same. Coming down to particulars, he often invited his confreres to thank God for the protection and graces given to the Church, and for the elements which made it up, especially the prelates, pastors, and other ecclesiastical workers engaged in its preservation and advancement. He was careful to thank God for the fruits produced by all well run companies and congregations….
He was often heard to say, “We must give as much time to thanking God for his favors as we have used in asking him for them.†He complained vehemently of the extreme ingratitude of men towards God. He was referring to the lament of Jesus Christ reported in the Gospel on the occasion of his curing the ten lepers. He urged his confreres to practice this virtue of gratitude and thanksgiving, without which, he used to say, we make ourselves unworthy of receiving any favors from God or men.
Abelly, vol. 3, Ch. 17. His Justice and Gratitude
Louise de Marillac wrote,
“I rejoice with you, by thanking God for the graces His goodness has bestowed upon you, enabling you to continue to love His service by observing your Rules especially by the cordiality and support you show one another . . . You can be certain that God is with you.†L.619 Louise de Marillac to Catherine Gesse, 4 May 1659, ibid., 639.
Elizabeth Ann Seton wrote,
“Every day of life more and more increases my gratitude to God for having made me what I am.†[June 1817]
Frederick Ozanam
One day, at San Jacopo, he took a piece of paper and wrote down, in the form of a prayer, an enumeration of the many ” little kindnesses ” he had received from God. ” We are not sufficiently grateful for God’s little benefits. We thank Him for having created and redeemed us, and
given us good parents, and a wife and beloved children”
Tags: Frederic Ozanam, Louise de Marillac, Thanksgiving, Vincent
There are two more reasons to Give Thanks today — in 1830, Our Lady appeared to young seminarian, Catherine Laboure at the Mother House chapel, Rue de Bac, Paris revealing her what medal She wanted to be made and distributed.
— in 1894, a feast of Manifestation of Miraculous Medal (established by pope Leo XIII) was celebrated for the first time.
This year, both events and Thanksgiving Day are celebrated in one day. Let us give Our Lady and the Lord thanks for the apparitions and and for the Miraculous Medal.
Talking about Vincentian heritage for Thanksgiving…
I recalled once again origins of Thanksgiving Day. A year after first immigrants came to New World they celebrated end of first harvests, celebrated the fact they survived first winter and first summer in the new world. They sat at the same table with local Indians, their neighbors and had common prayers and meal. In their first celebration there was place for everyone, immigrants, laborers, their families and those who lived before Europeans landed on this soil. They sat together, no mater what status they were, what color they skin was.
Few days ago Superior General addressed a Letter for Advent 2008. He titled it, “there was no room for them”. He showed all Vincentian Family members few examples of modern meaning of “no room for them” idea. What the New World would be if there had not been room for those who lived among first settlers? What the world would have been, if there weren’t the first Thanksgiving.
Let us give thanks for the first Thanksgiving. For the room which was for everybody. And let us pray for other Thanksgiving dinners that there always be a “room for them”.
Among all other “globalized” American holidays this one did not go “global”. Tradition ties it to North American soil (US and Canada, although Canadians celebrate it in other time). Perhaps, one can be surprised, why someone who isn’t born or has not been living in America talks about meaning of Thanksgiving. Good question. But should we not give thanks for our harvests, our jobs, our neighbors, our schools, our countries? Does it matter if will Give Thanks in Poland, France, Philippines, Brazil, Madagascar or India together with Americans? I do not have to sit at the table and eat turkey today. But I can join Americans in givings thanks to Our Lord.
O Lord, thank you for those first settlers in New World who did not forget who was the One helping them have the first harvest and the first Thanksgiving.
And thanking the Lord, let us keep in our prayers those who were so bitterly experienced today in Mumbai (Bombay),India. Let us pray for the sacrifice these innocent people gave today.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
So appreciate the effort made to bring to our minds the spirit of Thanksgiving that is our Vincentian heritage. Many thanks.