Thanksgiving Proclamation -- President Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863 Abraham Lincoln   The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.   No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the  United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union. Abraham Lincoln , 1863   Click here to download and print Thanksgiving Proclmation - President Lincoln!   For more Catholic resources to feed your faith, visit the Crossroads Initiative Homepage.     To sign up for our free weekly e-mail with Dr. D'Ambrosio's commentary on the Sunday readings, liturgical feasts, updates on where Dr. D will be speaking, a chance to WIN a FREE CD and MORE, CLICK HERE!    For more Christian resources to feed your faith and inspire your life, visit the Crossroads Initiative Home Page.   This article appears in the Christian Lifestyle , Eucharistic, Virtues and Christian Character sections of the Crossroads Library.   For more articles that you can share over the Thanksgiving Holidays - be sure to check out: Thanksgiving: Are You Grateful? Thanksgiving and the Eucharist Thanksgiving Reading and Table Blessing Feast of Faith - The Transforming Power of the Eucharist Our late Holy Father Pope John Paul II decreed the last year of his pontificate a special "year of the Eucharist." "The Feast of Faith," is an enlightening, four-part adult faith formation series (on 2 CDs, or 2 DVDs) guaranteed to unlock the life-changing power of the Eucharist in your life. Be sure to order the Feast of Faith Workbook, you may view it online, to get the most out of this amazing Eucharist Series!   Part One – Sacrifice – discusses how the Mass is a true sacrifice, the “re-presentation” of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.   Part Two – Real Presence – The uniqueness of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist is contrasted with the other ways he is present in the world. Out need to be properly prepared to receive Jesus in the Eucharist is discussed in…   Part Three – Preparation – we need to have more faith, more appetite, more repentance, and more forgiveness. Finally…   Part Four – Adoration – explains the meaning and purpose of Eucharistic adoration and offers practical ways we can spend time before our Eucharistic Lord in a way that transforms our lives. This is a must-have series for RCIA and Parish Adult Faith Formation.   Feast of Faith DVD - $49.95 Feast of Faith – CD - $19.95 Feast of Faith – Audio Tape - $19.95   Feast of Faith Workbook - $5.95   If you would like to sign up for our free weekly e-mail with Dr. D'Ambrosio's commentary on the Sunday readings, updates on where Dr. D will be speaking, a chance to WIN a FREE CD and MORE, be sure to CLICK HERE!