Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Across Time and Place
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Subject Topic: America's REAL First Thanksgiving Post ReplyPost New Topic
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MaryM
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Posted: Nov 25 2009 at 2:03pm | IP Logged Quote MaryM
St. Augustine, Florida
September 8, 1565

About the first Thanksgiving, celebrated in Florida by Spaniards and Timucuans more than a half century before the one in Plymouth.

Heard about this book by robyn Gioia, a few years ago from the USA Today article. We just checked it out again. And we are reviewing it - remembering a very Catholic thanksgiving celebrated years before the one at Plymouth. I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn about the history and celebrations not covered in traditional texts.

Excepted from the book (pg. 32):
Quote:
He (Admiral Menendez) was greeted by a chaplain carrying a cross and singing Te Deum Laudamus, a hymn of joy and thanksgiving. Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales had arrived earlier so he could welcome the admiral.

As expected, the Spaniards knelt to kiss the cross. When the Timucua saw the honor being paid to the cross by the newcomers, the followed in reverence. They observed and imitated what was going on.

After that , a special Mass of thanksgiving was given in the name of the Nativity of Our lady to God for a safe journey and a new land. With a notary by his side, Menendez, claimed Florida for the Spanish Crown and was declared governor of the new land.


The early part of the book talks about the Spanish role in exploration, Florida in the 1560s, the Native community their - the Timucua, and the type of foods that would likely have been served at the feast following, and St. Augustine today. All very interesting.

Note some of the Marian connections related to the exploration/founding of this country and specific feasts of Our Lady:

September 8 - Landing of Menendez at St. Augustine and Mass of Thanksgiving (Nativity of Our Lady)
October 12 - Columbus lands (Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar)

FYI: Columbus - because I realized I didn't post this here in Oct. as I had intended.
Columbus did have a great devotion to Our Lady and the patroness of
Spain, Our Lady of the Pillar, is tied to Columbus as well, since her feast is
today - the day he sighted land in the New World. I think that link is so neat. Having not sighted land for so long the crew was restless, and Columbus said if he did not see land by October 12, the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, he would turn and go back to Spain. It was on October 12 that they first saw land. This was notable also because the Feast commemorated the day on which the Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint James the Greater, Apostle of Spain, and reassured him that, in spite of his apparent failure in that country, his work eventually would bring forth tremendous fruits for the Church. I find this connection fascinating and very faith affirming.   ...And you know they had to have a Mass of Thanksgiving and a meal following as well

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