Our consumer society will tell you that Thanksgiving is past and that the holiday shopping season is upon us beginning with the craziness of Black Friday. And that it’s just fine if Black Friday actually starts on Thanksgiving, or before.

We say that while a day set aside for giving thanks is a wonderful tradition in our nation, for followers of Jesus gratitude should be a way of life. And that it’s not only just fine if Thanksgiving spills over into every day, it’s necessary that it does.

We began the month of November celebrating the saints. As November draws to a close, let’s listen to the saints, especially on the topic of gratitude.

Happy continuing Thanksgiving to all our readers.

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“In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.” — St. Teresa of Avila

“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” — St. Ambrose

“Jesus does not demand great action from us but simply surrender and gratitude.” — St. Therese of Lisieux

“Thank God ahead of time . . . . Gratitude is the first sign of a thinking, rational creature.” — Blessed Solanus Casey

“Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm.  Look forward to the future with confidence.” — St. John Paul II

“The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness.” — St. Gianna Beretta Molla

“The best way to show my gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.” — St. Teresa of Calcutta

“Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.” — St. John Chrysostom

“Get used to lifting your heart to God, in acts of thanksgiving, many times a day. Because he gives you this and that. Because you have been despised. Because you haven’t what you need or because you have. Thank him for everything, because everything is good.” — St. Josemaria Escriva

“Thanksgiving makes the soul incessantly delight in Him. It frees men from negligence and lukewarmness altogether and makes them anxious to please Him more and more in all things.” — St. Catherine of Siena