Prayers of Thanksgiving

Since not a moment passes in life in which we do not experience the goodness of God, we owe Him gratitude. Saint Paul instructs us: "In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus regarding you all" (1 Thess. 5:18). Not only should we thank God for the particular benefits received each day, but we should also give thanks for our creation, for our redemption, and for the gift of faith.



The Angelus:

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.


V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail, Mary etc.

V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us. Hail, Mary etc.

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen


(The Faithful who at dawn, at noon and in the evening, or as soon thereafter as possible, devoutly recite the Angelus, with the appropriate versicles, and prayer, may gain an indulgence of 10 years each time for themselves or the Holy Souls in Purgatory.)








Praise and Thanksgiving
(It was revealed to St. Gertrude that it is a source of great joy to the saints when we praise and thank God for the graces and privileges He has bestowed upon them. Clients of St. Jude should recite the following act of thanksgiving frequently.)

O most sweet Lord Jesus Christ, in union with the unutterable heavenly praise with which the Most Holy Trinity extols Itself and which thence flows upon Thy Sacred Humanity, upon Mary, upon all the angels and saints, I praise, glorify and bless Thee for all the graces and privileges Thou hast bestowed upon Thy chosen apostle and intimate friend, Jude Thaddeus. I pray Thee for the sake of his merits, grant me Thy grace, and through his intercession come to my aid in all my needs, but especially at the hour of my death deign to strengthen me against the rage of my enemies. Amen.


Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc., three times.


Prayers and Devotions to St. Jude


"I will praise thy name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard." [Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 51:15]


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Litany of Thanksgiving
by Pope Pius VI. (1717 - 1799)


Lord, have mercy on me.
Christ, have mercy on me.
Lord, have mercy on me.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on me.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on me.
Holy Ghost, true God have mercy on me.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on me.


Thou Who hast from all eternity decreed the good which Thou hast done me,
have mercy on me. *

Thou Who for my individual benefit hast displayed Thy omnipotence, wisdom, and goodness, *
Thou, Who each instant loadest me with new favors, *
Thou, Who even when I offended Thee, didst not withdraw from me Thy liberal hand, *

For creating me in preference to so many others, and making me to Thy image,
I thank Thee, O my God. **


For raising me to a supernatural end, and giving me an immortal soul, **

For making me capable of knowing, loving, and possessing Thee forever. **

For providing me with a healthy body, undeformed limbs, and undisturbed senses, **

For appointing so many creatures to serve me, **

For giving me an angel as my guide and protector, **

For having preserved and nourished me, like a good father, to this day, **

For having redeemed me from hell by the passion, and death of Thy Son, **

For having called me to the Catholic Church; for having instituted the seven sacraments for my salvation, and for having afforded me so many other means of salvation, **

For not having yet rejected nor condemned me after my committing so many offenses, **

For having preserved me from innumerable evils, both spiritual and corporal, for having given such abundant blessing to my affairs, my labors, and undertakings, **

For all Thy grace and all thy benefits, natural and supernatural, **

For the pains, exterior and interior, by which Thou hast tried me, for the paternal chastisements and corrections by which Thou hast warned me, **

For all the benefits which I have not yet well considered; for all the graces which I have, alas, abused; for all the graces and benefits which Thou wouldst have granted me had not my malice prevented, **

For all the graces and all the benefits which Thou hast granted to the holy angels and all Thy elect, for all the graces and all the benefits which Thou hast granted to all other men, Thy creatures, **

In union with the thanksgiving which the Church militant on earth has rendered Thee and will render Thee hereafter, **

In union with the thanksgiving which the Church triumphant in heaven has rendered Thee and will render Thee eternally, **



Let us pray:

O God Who hast vouchsafed to display in me, the most unworthy of Thy creatures, Thy admirable liberality, I pray Thee, by Thy tender goodness, to add to Thy numberless benefits this grace, that I may in the future be truly grateful for them, and employ them for my salvation and my neighbor's good, in order that by their good use, and by grateful and reciprocal love I may deserve to arrive where, with all Thy Saints, I shall enjoy Thy love, and praise Thee forever. Amen.





Grace Before Meals

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty: through Christ Our Lord. Amen.



Grace After Meals

We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, Almighty God, Who livest and reignest forever; R. Amen. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who do us good for Thy name's sake. Amen.

V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.








Thanksgiving to God for Help (Psalm 114)

In the Temple of Jerusalem one who had been seriously sick and had been cured by the Lord pours out his thanks in the words of this Psalm--words which can convey the same beautiful message of gratitude of the Christian soul.

I love the Lord because He has heard my voice in supplication, Because He has inclined His ear to me the day I called. The cords of death encompassed me; the snares of the nether world seized upon me; I fell into distress and sorrow, And I called upon the Name of the Lord, "O Lord, save my life!" Gracious is the Lord and just; yes, our God is merciful. The Lord keeps the little ones; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return, O my soul, to your tranquillity, for the Lord has been good to you. For He has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the Lord in the lands of the living.



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Te Deum, Ambrosian Hymn of Thanksgiving


TE DEUM laudamus: te Dominum confitemur. O GOD, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur. Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi Caeli et universae Potestates; To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers,
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant: All the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae. Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus, The glorious choir of the Apostles,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus, The wonderful company of Prophets,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus. The white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia, Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee:
Patrem immensae maiestatis: The Father of infinite Majesty;
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium; Thy adorable, true and only Son;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum. And the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe. O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum. Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum. Thou overcame the sting of death and hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris. Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
Iudex crederis esse venturus. We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti. We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari. Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.
V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae. V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance!
R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum. R. Govern them, and raise them up forever.
V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te. V. Every day we thank Thee.
R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi. R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever.
V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire. V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.
R. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri. R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te. V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.
R. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum. R. O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame.


(Indulgence: 5 years)


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Thanksgiving Psalm 135

This Psalm has the form of a litany, i.e., a refrain ("for His mercy endures forever") is repeated after each half-verse. God is thanked in the earlier verses for His creation of the heavens and the earth, in the later verses for His special benefits to Israel, chiefly the liberation from Egypt. A Christian praying this Psalm, speaks of his liberation from sin and his entrance into the Church.


Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever;
Give thanks to the God of gods, for His mercy endures forever;
Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy endures forever;
Who alone does great wonders, for His mercy endures forever;
Who made the heavens in wisdom, for His mercy endures forever;
Who spread out the earth upon the waters, for His mercy endures forever;
Who made the great lights, for His mercy endures forever;
The sun to rule over the day, for His mercy endures forever;
The moon and the stars to rule over the night, for His mercy endures forever;
Who smote the Egyptians in their first-born, for His mercy endures forever;
And brought out Israel from their midst, for His mercy endures forever;
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, for His mercy endures forever;
Who split the Red Sea in twain, for His mercy endures forever;
And led Israel through its midst, for His mercy endures forever;
But swept Pharao and his army into the Red Sea, for His mercy endures forever;
Who led His people through the wilderness, for His mercy endures forever;
Who smote great kings, for His mercy endures forever;
And slew powerful kings, for His mercy endures forever;
Sehon, king of the Amorrites, for His mercy endures forever;
And Og, king of Basan, for His mercy endures forever.
And made their land a heritage, for His mercy endures forever;
The heritage of Israel, His servant, for His mercy endures forever;
Who remembered us in our abjection, for His mercy endures forever;
And freed us from our foes, for His mercy endures forever;
Who gives food to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever;
Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy endures forever.



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Thanksgiving for All God's Gifts

O God, whose mercies are without number, and whose goodness is an inexhaustible treasure, we render thanks to Thy most kindly Majesty for the gifts Thou hast given, evermore beseeching Thy goodness, that whilst Thou hearest the prayers of those who ask, so deserting them not, do Thou prepare them for the blessings yet to come.

(Roman Missal)


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In Thanksgiving

I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that He would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help. I will praise Thy name continually, and I will praise it with thanksgiving. And my prayer was heard and Thou hast saved me from destruction and hast delivered me from the evil time. Therefore will I give Thee thanks and praise Thee, O Lord, our God.

(Roman Missal)


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From a Trusting Soul

O God, Who dost not suffer anyone who puts his trust in Thee to be overmuch afflicted, but lendest a kindly ear to their prayers, we thank Thee for hearing our petitions and granting our desires, and we devoutly entreat Thee that what we have received may make us worthy to be delivered from all evil.

(Roman Missal)


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Hymn of a Grateful Heart (Psalm 137)

The psalmist thanks God for His kindness and faithfulness and because He has heard his prayers. He wants all the rulers of the world to join with him in singing God's glory, for His glory is great and He will never forsake what He has created. It is praiseworthy to thank God for His blessings and to urge others to do the same.

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with all my heart, (for You have heard the words of my mouth); in the presence of the angels I will sing Your praise; I will worship at Your holy temple and give thanks to Your Name, Because of Your kindness and Your truth; for You have made great above all things Your Name and Your promise. When I called, You answered me; You built up strength within me. All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth; And they shall sing of the ways of the Lord: "Great is the glory of the Lord." The Lord is exalted, yet the lowly He sees, and the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk amid distress, You preserve me; against the anger of my enemies You raise Your hand; Your right hand saves me. The Lord will complete what He has done for me; Your kindness, O Lord, endures forever; forsake not the work of Your hands.



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Thanksgiving to Christ by St. Anselm of Cantebury

O Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, our Salvation: we praise Thee and we give Thee thanks! And though we be unworthy of Thy gifts, and though we cannot offer unto Thee a fitting devotion, yet let Thy loving kindness supply for our weakness. Before Thee, O Lord our God, all our desires are known, and whatsoever our heart rightly wills is a result of Thy grace. Grant that we may attain a genuine love of Thee. Let not Thy grace be unfruitful in us, Lord! Perfect that which Thou hast begun! Give that which Thou hast made us to long for. Convert our tepidity to fervent love of Thee, for the glory of Thy holy Name. Amen.







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On Thanksgiving Day, Please Remember
Your Family Members Suffering in Purgatory

Most of us have some who are related to us by blood still suffering in the Purgatorial fire, father or mother, brother or sister, some other kinsmen perhaps more closely connected with us. All these have a special claim upon us. They are bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. To neglect them is very cruel; as it would be to neglect those of our family, who are suffering on earth in some way we could easily relieve. Might I not do more for my relations who are still in need of my help?

We all shrink from unnatural cruelty: a son who neglects his mother in her need; a parent who leaves his child in misery. There is a sort of unnatural cruelty in neglecting those to whom we owe much, and whom God has in some way entrusted to us. They are now dependent on us, stretching out their hands for spiritual alms, for Masses, Prayers, Indulgences. I might so easily do more--why do I not do it?

We read in the parable of Dives how he dreaded the presence of his brethren in the place where he was in torments. This will also be the case in Purgatory. How bitter it will be to us to know that there are some closely united to us by blood, who are also there through our fault or neglect! If we had shown charity to them in this life, they might long ago have been in Heaven, praying for our deliverance. Instead of that, our Purgatory will be prolonged for our unkindness to them, and will be intensified by self-reproach. God will treat us as we have treated them. Think of your suffering relations and beware of neglecting them.--Rev. R.F. Clarke, SJ.


Prayer:

O Good Jesus, Whose loving Heart was ever troubled by the sorrows of others, look with pity on the souls of our dear ones in Purgatory. O Thou Who didst "love Thine own," hear our cry for mercy, and grant that those whom Thou hast called from our homes and hearts may soon enjoy everlasting rest in the home of Thy Love in Heaven. Amen

V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen




A Prayer For Deceased Parents

O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother, in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of my father and mother, and forgive them their trespass, and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting Brightness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen

(Roman Breviary)



Prayer for Those we are Bound to Pray for

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that the souls of Thy servants and handmaidens, the commemoration of whom we keep with special reverence, and for whom we are bidden and are bound to pray, and the souls of all our benefactors, relations, and connections, and all the faithful, may rest in the bosom of Thy Saints; and hereafter, in the Resurrection from the dead, may please Thee in the land of the living. Amen





Index of Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Why Catholics are obligated to visit
their loved ones at the cemetery

The Cry of the Souls in Purgatory to us








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