Thanksgiving Day, USA

Thanksgiving Day, USA –

On this day we sing the great hymn of praise, Te Deum. It is also sung at Vigils on Sundays outside of Lent and Advent, on Holy Days, and midnight at the New Year –

You are God; we praise you. You are the Lord; we acclaim you.
You are the eternal Father; all creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the pow’rs of heaven, cherubim and seraphim,
sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy church acclaims you:
Father of Majesty unbounded; your true and only Son, worthy of all worship;
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free, you did not spurn the virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Image: Crucifix in St. Augustine’s Cemetery.