Mass of Thanksgiving: Meaning, Occasions and How to Plan One

Every Mass is a thanksgiving: the word Eucharist means “thanksgiving” in Greek. “The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits” (CCC 1360). But Catholics also speak of a “Mass of Thanksgiving” for special occasions: a newly ordained priest’s first Mass, a wedding or ordination anniversary, Thanksgiving Day in the United States, or simply a Mass offered to thank God for a grace received. Below is what each of these means, which prayers and readings are used, when they are allowed, and how to plan one.

A new priest’s Mass of Thanksgiving

After his ordination, a new priest celebrates his first Mass, usually called his Mass of Thanksgiving, often in his home parish the next day. Family, friends and parishioners come to thank God for his vocation. Customs include:

The new priest’s first blessing. At the end of Mass he gives his first priestly blessing to the congregation, and people line up afterwards to receive it individually and kiss his newly anointed hands.
The manutergium. The cloth that wiped the chrism from his hands at ordination is traditionally given to his mother, to be placed in her hands at her burial.
A plenary indulgence. The Church grants a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, to the priest who celebrates his first Mass with the people and to the faithful who devoutly attend it (Enchiridion of Indulgences, grant 27).
A homilist chosen by the new priest, often a priest who helped him discover his vocation.

The Mass is usually that of the day, or, when the liturgical day allows, the Mass “For Priests” or the votive Mass of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest. See our prayer for priests.

Anniversaries and jubilees

Couples celebrating their 25th or 50th wedding anniversary, priests and religious celebrating jubilees of ordination or profession, and parishes or schools marking centenaries often have a Mass of Thanksgiving. Couples may renew their marriage promises after the homily, and the priest may give a special blessing. See Prayers of the Faithful for a wedding anniversary Mass, for a golden wedding anniversary and for an ordination anniversary.

Thanksgiving Day

The Roman Missal for the United States includes a proper Mass for Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday of November (November 26, 2026). Many parishes celebrate it in the morning, sometimes with a blessing of food brought for the poor. Common readings include Sirach 50:22–24 (“And now pray ye to the God of all”), 1 Corinthians 1:3–9 and Luke 17:11–19, the one healed leper who returned to give thanks.

And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother’s womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.
May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:
That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.

See Prayers of the Faithful for Thanksgiving Mass and Catholic Thanksgiving prayers.

The Mass “For Giving Thanks to God”

Among the Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, the Roman Missal has a Mass “For Giving Thanks to God.” It may be used when the liturgical day allows. Votive Masses and Masses for various needs are not permitted on solemnities, the Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter, during the Octave of Easter, on All Souls’ Day, Ash Wednesday and in Holy Week (GIRM 374), and on most other days the Mass of the day is preferred; the priest decides what is fitting. On a Sunday, the thanksgiving is expressed through the Mass intention, the Universal Prayer, a hymn such as the Te Deum, or a blessing.

Having a Mass offered in thanksgiving

You do not need a special liturgy to thank God with a Mass. Ask your parish to offer a Mass “in thanksgiving” for a recovery, a birth, a graduation, a new job, a safe return or a prayer answered. The priest offers that day’s Mass for your intention, and it may be mentioned at Mass or printed in the bulletin. A small offering (stipend) is customary. See Mass intention examples.

Example: “In thanksgiving for the recovery of Maria Lopez, requested by her family.”

Planning a Mass of Thanksgiving

Meet the priest early to choose the date and see which Mass formulary the liturgical day allows.
Choose readings that speak of gratitude: for example Sirach 50:22–24, Colossians 3:12–17 (“be ye thankful”), Philippians 4:4–7, Luke 17:11–19, or Luke 1:46–55 (the Magnificat).
Write the Prayers of the Faithful to include thanks for the occasion; see how to write Prayers of the Faithful.
Choose hymns of praise: “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” (the Te Deum), “Now Thank We All Our God,” “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.”
Invite family members to read, to bring up the gifts and, where customary, to give a short word of thanks after Communion.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a first Mass and a Mass of Thanksgiving?

None: a newly ordained priest’s first Mass is commonly called his Mass of Thanksgiving.

Can a Mass of Thanksgiving be celebrated on a Sunday?

Usually the Sunday Mass itself is celebrated, with the thanksgiving included in the intentions, hymns and blessing. The special votive Mass is not used on Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter or on solemnities, and it is rarely used on other Sundays.

Is a Mass of Thanksgiving the same as the Te Deum?

No. The Te Deum is the Church’s ancient hymn of thanksgiving, often sung at the end of a Mass of Thanksgiving, at New Year and on great occasions.

More guides

Sources

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1360.
General Instruction of the Roman Missal, nos. 368–378 (Masses for various needs and votive Masses).
Roman Missal, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions (“For Giving Thanks to God”; “For Priests”); Proper of Saints for the United States (Thanksgiving Day).
Enchiridion of Indulgences (1999), grant 27 (a priest’s first Mass and jubilees).
Scripture: Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 50:24–26 (50:22–24 in modern Bibles); Colossians 3:15, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.