Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day

Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day

October 3, 1863



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.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

A. Lincoln

Nobody Knows Your Pain

Worth a thousand words - A Visit to Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine in Missouri

Astronomer to the Vatican

Well, September was a blur for this homeschooling mom. Books cracked, fieldtrips taken already, even a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine in Missouri (will post that soon - incredible!).

Anyway, gotta check out this cool bro - I'm taking the whole family to hear him speak tonight!

Who Am I - this is so artistically amazing!

Voice of Truth

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Rosary Rally October 10

Hi to all my friends in Christ,



Just to let you know, Bob and I have been contacted by the organization"America Needs Fatima" to lead a "Rosary Rally" at 12 pm on October 10. I have attended one once before, and this is really a beautiful way to pray together and beautifully and peacefully remind everyone Who's really in charge of our lives!



We will be displaying a banner showing our Blessed Mother and reciting a few prayers - including the Angelus, the Rosary, and the Consecration to Jesus through Mary as written by St. Louis de Montfort, among others. We will be reciting prayer intentions, so please send yours along even if you can't attend.



I have not pinpointed the location yet - any suggestions would be appreciated. Somewhere visible, such as a mall entrance or busy intersection. I will be calling the police to inform them of our peaceful rally, and obtain a permit as necessary.



I will also try to keep updates on my blog - www.homethroughrome.blogspot.com.



If you feel shy about this, believe me I am too! But how could I say no to this call? The one I participated in was on the corner of 9 Mile and Woodward, and it was very peaceful - I may contact Michael Voris to see if we can use this spot in front of his studio, if someone else is not. Otherwise, I will try to keep it in the Troy/Auburn Hills/Clarkston area.



Please join me if you can! All that's asked for is your presence and your prayers!



And, please continue to pray for the prolife movie "Tiger's Hope" www.tigershope.com and help this project in any way you can.



God bless you all!



Andrea