Did you know that the word Eucharist literally means “Thanksgiving?” Indeed, the Greek word “eucharisteo” at the heart of our English word means “to give thanks.” Not only that, the Catechism says the Eucharist “is an act of thanksgiving to God” (1329) and words of thanks are sprinkled throughout much of the Mass. Although it’s not a holy day of obligation, many Catholics have a tradition of attending Mass together as a family at Thanksgiving to begin the day by thanking the One from whom all our blessings flow.