Prayers of Thanksgiving
The Confessor, Miloradovich Sergey (1851-1943)
Wonderful Advice from Saint Paul
Rejoice in the Lord always - Let nothing make you anxious - Pray with thanksgiving - Think about good things - Live by the traditions handed down to you - The God of peace will be with you.
The Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, 4.4-9:
Latin Vulgate | Douay-Rheims | Msgr. Knox Translation |
4 Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico gaudete. | 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. | 4 Joy to you in the Lord at all times; once again I wish you joy. |
5 Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est. | 5 Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. | 5 Give proof to all of your courtesy. The Lord is near. |
6 Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione, et obsecratione, cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum. | 6 Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. | 6 Nothing must make you anxious; in every need make your requests known to God, praying and beseeching him, and giving him thanks as well. |
7 Et pax Dei, quæ exuperat omnem sensum, custodiat corda vestra, et intelligentias vestras in Christo Jesu. | 7 And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. | 7 So may the peace of God, which surpasses all our thinking, watch over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. |
8 De cetero fratres, quæcumque sunt vera, quæcumque pudica, quæcumque justa, quæcumque sancta, quæcumque amabilia, quæcumque bonæ famæ, siqua virtus, siqua laus disciplinæ, hæc cogitate. | 8 For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things. | 8 And now, brethren, all that rings true, all that commands reverence, and all that makes for right; all that is pure, all that is lovely, all that is gracious in the telling; virtue and merit, wherever virtue and merit are found—let this be the argument of your thoughts. |
9 Quæ et didicistis, et accepistis, et audistis, et vidistis in me, hæc agite: et Deus pacis erit vobiscum. | 9 The things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these do ye, and the God of peace shall be with you. | 9 The lessons I taught you, the traditions I handed on to you, all you have heard and seen of my way of living—let this be your rule of conduct. Then the God of peace will be with you. |
The Latin Vulgate Bible, The Douay-Rheims Bible and the Monsignor Ronald Knox (1888-1957) translation of the Bible, including the three versions side by side: https://catholicbible.online/.
A pdf scan of the whole of the New Testament, Douay-Rheims Bible, 1914 edition, can be downloaded on this website here.Agimus tibi gratias
The well known blessing after meals is a prayer of thanks that may be prayed at any time.
We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
V. May the Lord grant us His peace.
R. And life everlasting. Amen.
Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
V. Deus det nobis suam pacem.
R. Et vitam aeternam. Amen.
The Gloria (The Greater Doxology)
Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to men of good will.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee, we give Thee thanks for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Thou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For Thou alone art the Holy One, Thou alone art the Lord, Thou alone art the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.
Domine Fili unigenite, Iesu Christe, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.
Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Iesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.
The Adoration of the Shepherds, Jacques Stella (1596-1657)
Te Deum
The Te Deum is an ancient hymn of joy and thanksgiving, and often regarded as the hymn of thanksgiving par excellence. It has long been a custom in Catholic churches to sing the Te Deum on New Year’s Eve, to thank God for all of the blessings received over the course of the previous year, and then to invoke His blessings for the coming year by singing the Veni, Creator Spiritus on New Year’s Day
The Te Deum is sometimes called the Ambrosian Hymn because of its association with Saint Ambrose (c. 339-397), being traditionally attributed to Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine (354-430), although it is sometimes credited to Saint Nicetas (c. 335-414), Bishop of Remesiana in Serbia.
| 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 sittest 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. |
This version of the Te Deum and translation from preces-latinae.org.
Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (from Ghent Altarpiece), Jan van Eyck, Hubert van Eyck, 1450
Prayer of Thanksgiving
O God, of whose mercies there is no number, and of whose goodness the treasure is infinite; we render thanks to Thy most gracious majesty for the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us, evermore beseeching Thy clemency, that as Thou grantest the petitions of them that ask Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them, but wilt prepare them for the reward to come. Through our Lord.
Prayer of Thanksgiving to St. Jude
St. Jude Pray for us.
I receive the gifts of God with a grateful spirit. St. Jude, help me to see the blessings that surround me and give me life. I offer you my prayer of thanksgiving. Give me the grace to be forever thankful for God’s love and mercy, and the gift of life each day. May this gratitude inspire me to give generously of myself to others - in my actions, in my prayers, and in my fortune however small that may be.
Be with me now, St. Jude. Linger with me in gratitude, and let thanks fill my heart, washing away my pains and troubles. May I desire nothing except to be in God’s presence, and to learn from you to be an example of hope, love, and thanksgiving to everyone I meet. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving of St. Catherine of Siena (Saint Catherine of Siena 1347-1380)
O tender Father, you gave me more, much more than I ever thought to ask for. I realize that our human desires can never really match what you long to give us. Thanks, and again thanks, O Father, for having granted my petitions, and that which I never realized I needed or petitioned.
Prayer of Thanksgiving of St. John Chrysostom (Saint John Chrysostom 347-407)
We render thanks unto you, O King invisible, who framed all things by your measureless power, and in the multitude of your mercy have brought all things into being from nonexistence.
Prayer of Thanksgiving for Graces of St. Louis de Montfort (Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort 1673-1716)
My God, I thank you with all my heart for all the graces you have bestowed on me during my whole life, and especially for those of this day. Amen.
Canticle of the Sun, of St. Francis of Assisi (Saint Francis of Assisi c.1181-1226)
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honour, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.
The Jar for Refreshment, Eduard von Grutzner, 1880
Jubilatae Deo. All are invited to rejoice in God the creator of all.
Psalm 99: 1-5
A psalm of praise. Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy. Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him. Praise ye his name: For the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth for ever, and his truth to generation and generation.
Psalmus in confessione. Jubilate Deo, omnis terra; servite Domino in laetitia. Introite in conspectu ejus in exsultatione. Scitote quoniam Dominus ipse est Deus; ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos; populus ejus, et oves pascuae ejus. Introite portas ejus in confessione, atria ejus in hymnis; confitemini illi. Laudate nomen ejus. quoniam suavis est Dominus; in aeternum misericordia ejus, et usque in generationem et generationem veritas ejus.
Benedic, anima. Thanksgiving to God for his mercies.
Psalm 102: 1-22
For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion. Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's. The Lord doth mercies, and judgment for all that suffer wrong. He hath made his ways known to Moses: his wills to the children of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy. He will not always be angry: nor will he threaten for ever. He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us. As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him: For he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust: Man's days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish. For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him: And his justice unto children's children, To such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: and his kingdom shall rule over all. Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders. Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: you ministers of his that do his will. Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou the Lord.
Ipsi David. Benedic, anima mea, Domino, et omnia quae intra me sunt nomini sancto ejus. Benedic, anima mea, Domino, et noli oblivisci omnes retributiones ejus; qui propitiatur omnibus iniquitatibus tuis, qui sanat omnes infirmitates tuas; qui redimit de interitu vitam tuam, qui coronat te in misericordia et miserationibus; qui replet in bonis desiderium tuum : renovabitur ut aquilae juventus tua. Faciens misericordias Dominus, et judicium omnibus injuriam patientibus. Notas fecit vias suas Moysi, filiis Israel voluntates suas. Miserator et misericors Dominus, longanimis, et multum misericors. Non in perpetuum irascetur, neque in aeternum comminabitur. Non secundum peccata nostra fecit nobis, neque secundum iniquitates nostras retribuit nobis. Quoniam secundum altitudinem caeli a terra, corroboravit misericordiam suam super timentes se; quantum distat ortus ab occidente, longe fecit a nobis iniquitates nostras. Quomodo miseretur pater filiorum, misertus est Dominus timentibus se. Quoniam ipse cognovit figmentum nostrum; recordatus est quoniam pulvis sumus. Homo, sicut foenum dies ejus; tamquam flos agri, sic efflorebit: quoniam spiritus pertransibit in illo, et non subsistet : et non cognoscet amplius locum suum. Misericordia autem Domini ab aeterno, et usque in aeternum super timentes eum. Et justitia illius in filios filiorum, his qui servant testamentum ejus, et memores sunt mandatorum ipsius ad faciendum ea. Dominus in caelo paravit sedem suam, et regnum ipsius omnibus dominabitur. Benedicite Domino, omnes angeli ejus, potentes virtute, facientes verbum illius, ad audiendam vocem sermonum ejus. Benedicite Domino, omnes virtutes ejus, ministri ejus, qui facitis voluntatem ejus. Benedicite Domino, omnia opera ejus, in omni loco dominationis ejus. Benedic, anima mea, Domino.
Laudate Dominum. All nations are called upon to praise God for his mercy and truth. Alleluia.
Psalm 116: 1-2 (This psalm is the shortest psalm and also the shortest chapter in the Bible)
O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.
Alleluja. Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes, laudate eum, omnes populi. Quoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus, et veritas Domini manet in aeternum.
Admiring 'The Inspiration of St. Matthew', Caravaggio (1602), San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome, December 2017
The Painting - The Inspiration of St. Matthew, Caravaggio, 1602
Immaculate Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Immaculata Regina Pacis, ora pro nobis.
