The Little Book of Holy Gratitude

by Frederick William Faber

Sharp penance for remembered sins helps stouthearted Christians seize heaven, but gentler souls like Our Blessed Lady and scores of her saints have trod a different path. Their souls are possessed by gratitude, inspired by the remembrance of past benefits, and filled with wonder at the abundant loving-kindness of God.

As Father Faber shows, gratitude is the fertile soil from which springs an ardent, exuberant love of Christ – a love that can be yours as well. These wise pages reveal the critical role that gratitude plays in your sanctification, and they’ll remind you of the many things the Lord has given you for which you should be grateful each moment of every day. Here you’ll also

That thanksgiving is the very essence of Christian worshipWhy gratitude is easiest way to heaven and the surest path to joyHow gratitude dissolves pride even faster than penanceHow gratitude can make you like the Angels themselvesThat ingratitude is the hidden sin of too many good people (What about you?)Why you should even be grateful — yes — for blessings received by your enemiesHow gratitude often wins souls more quickly than preachingWhy it’s scandalous that we neglect gratitude more than prayerWhy you should even be grateful for your troublesThat gratitude brings far more blessings than most of us ever suspectHear in this small book the voices of so many saints who knew that gratitude is the very key to St. Alphonsus de Liguori, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Bonaventure, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Francis de Sales, St. Francis Xavier, St. Gertrude, St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, St. Jerome, St. John Chrysostom, St. John of Avila, St. John of God, St. Lawrence Justinian, St. Louis of France, St. Peter Faber, St. Philip Neri, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thomas Aquinas, and many others.

Genres: Religion

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2016

About the author

Frederick William Faber, C.O., was a noted English hymn writer and theologian, who converted from Anglicanism to the Catholic priesthood. His best known work is Faith of Our Fathers. Though he was a Roman Catholic writing for fellow Catholics at that point, many of his hymns today are sung by Protestant congregations.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense! Intense!
My entire life I held onto so much interior anger. When anger is your pal, there's little room for living in Gratitude. After my Confessions (my penance is usually to pray in thanksgiving for blessings in my life). This penance I find most painful. But over the years now I'm slowly realizing my problem is an ungrateful heart. I don't want to die walking down the path of a cold heart. This book helped me so much.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Frederick William Faber has been gone 150 years, his meditations and collections of thoughts are relevent today. His references of previous thinkers along the Christian faith add to the value of his own suggestions. He brings offerings from the bible's old and new testament, he introduces not only familiar Saints but those obscure to most believers. The thankfulness we are urged to include in our lives reaches not only regular obligatory remembrances in prayer but actions past present and future are important. Even minutia, such as joys and praise are considered of value. Our goal in life in his mind, is constant mindfulness of our Gratitude. Much like I was thinking of Jeremiah the weeping profit with his connection with Yahway which was a constant stream of consciousness. This little book validates the need for us to be aware of gifts known and unknown passing our way through our creator. I have had this book for a long time and today of all days, I feel compelled to share with others the hope, faith, God's radiance is found on these pages.

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gentle, helpful manual for meditation aimed at gratitude and spiritual growth, rather than harsher disciplines of penance. Fr. Faber offers guidance on good resources and texts for guided meditation, some history, and spiritual examples. This is written from a distinctly Catholic perspective, but may also be welcoming to "Catholic-adjacent" believers such as Episcopalians. It's not intended for non-religious meditation.

Recommended with the above caveat.

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gentle, helpful manual for meditation aimed at gratitude and spiritual growth, rather than harsher disciplines of penance. Fr. Faber offers guidance on good resources and texts for guided meditation, some history, and spiritual examples. This is written from a distinctly Catholic perspective, but may also be welcoming to "Catholic-adjacent" believers such as Episcopalians. It's not intended for non-religious meditation.

Recommended with the above caveat.

[Greg Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes several good points, but gets a bit carried away. written in the 1800's so the language is dated.