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 learn:

That thanksgiving is the very essence of Christian worship
Why gratitude is easiest way to heaven and the surest path to joy
How gratitude dissolves pride even faster than penance
How gratitude can make you like the Angels themselves

Genres: Religion

116 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 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.