Today is November 22 and the holiday of Thanksgiving here in the United States of America. If you want to know more about the Catholic Thanksgiving facts, you can read about those here.

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time when family and friends gather together, however, it’s more than just eating turkey, gathering with family around a table, and watching football on television.

As Catholics, we are able to celebrate “thanksgiving” every day. Everyday we can go to Mass and receive Our Lord Jesus Christ – body, blood, soul, and divinity. The word Eucharist comes from the Latin term, eucharistia, which means “thanksgiving.” If you want to learn more about the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, I would encourage you to read – Quick Lessons from the Eucharist: The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. 

Today’s article is to remind all of us that we must and should always give thanks to God. All that we have comes from Him. The great 20th century Catholic writer, G.K. Chesterton, once said, “Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.”

This year, I am thankful that Jesus Christ through the intercession of his Blessed Mother, and within her title as Our Lady of Fatima, brought my amazing, beautiful, and holy wife into my life just over a year ago. We were married recently on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in September. Everyday I give thanks for my wife. She has changed my life.

I am also thankful for my family (Mom, my sister, brother-in-law, my nieces and nephews [14 total now with my wife’s side of the family], father-in-law, mother-in-law, and all of my sisters and brothers in-law. I am grateful that everyone was able to attend our wedding and made the week before and actual day such a blessing.

I am thankful for having a roof over my head and the ability to build up that home now with my wife. I am thankful to my coworkers and all the people in my life who I get to interact with on a daily basis.

On behalf of my family to yours, I wish you a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!