Our Order of Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration is dedicated to the Most Blessed Sacrament with a unique emphasis on reparative thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day in the monastery, therefore, is naturally a special occasion. We strive to foster a spirit of thanksgiving throughout the year, and so Thanksgiving Day is significant for it captures the essence of our charism.
  Mother Marie Ste. Claire (the Foundress of the PCPA Nuns) was profoundly inspired by the Gospel account of the Ten Lepers. If you remember the story, only one leper returned to Jesus to express gratitude for his healing.  Jesus’ response was to ask, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was there no one to give thanks to God save this stranger?” (Luke 11:17) Like the one leper, it is our specific duty to offer Jesus a grateful heart especially for His Hidden Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament in reparation for those who are indifferent; but also for everything that He generously gives us – everyday.
Mother Angelica gives us a marvelous example of this attitude in action.  Her typical response to God’s Providence is joyful thanksgiving.  As one story goes…after receiving a new pair of shoes, she promptly showed them off to Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament with child-like gratitude.  A grateful heart sees everything as a gift, even the sufferings sent our way!  The Father knows how to give only good gifts to His children.  
            This year’s Thanksgiving was a joyful one.  Like the average family (except for our size – forty nuns!) most of the nuns volunteered to prepare a dish for  the traditional Thanksgiving Day meal.  Every square inch of our expansive kitchen was used, as each nun busied herself with culinary activity. It was lively, loud and loads of fun in the kitchen that morning! Sharing together a delicious meal but more importantly enjoying each other’s company underscored the gift each of us is to one another, for which gratitude overflows. Mother Angelica participated in the festivities from her room.  With a hearty appetite, she relished her turkey and gravy like a good American.  We are very blessed and grateful for Mother’s beautiful witness of surrender to the Father’s Will.
            It would not be fitting to end without expressing thanksgiving to each of YOU!  Thank you for your continued support of EWTN financially and by prayer. Thanksgiving Day is an opportunity to celebrate with joy the gratitude we feel for your generosity which supports the network, by which our Catholic Faith is so beautifully conveyed, and ultimately it is our Faith that calls from us our greatest thanksgiving.