How medieval Catholic traditions of thanksgiving prayers and feasting shaped the Protestant celebration of Plymouth's pilgrims
- Written by Joanne M. Pierce, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross
The Catholic hymn, "Te Deum" -- which says, “You, God, we praise” -- has been used for centuries in Catholic worship for thanksgiving.Iconotheca Valvasoriana Author Jean Marot via Wikimedia Commons.President Abraham Lincoln instituted the celebration of Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863 after the Union victory at the battle...