In the bustling halls of Catholic schools, where academic excellence and faith formation converge, a powerful yet often overlooked virtue quietly transforms the community: gratitude. In a community that frequently prioritizes achievement and results, intentional gratitude celebrated in faith offers a pathway to grace, resilience, and authentic joy. Drawing from scripture, Catholic tradition, and extensive research, educators can cultivate a culture of thanksgiving that not only strengthens their school’s mission but also nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
Catholic education is fundamentally shaped by a mission that embraces gospel values, faith traditions, academic excellence, discipleship, and service. Gratitude is woven into each of these pillars as a response to God’s grace and a recognition of the gifts of every member of the school community. When gratitude is practiced intentionally, it fosters a spirit of humility, compassion, and unity—values essential for the moral and spiritual formation of students and educators.
Additionally, current educational environments face growing stress and negativity, challenges amplified by societal pressures, screen time, and social media use. Within this context, fostering gratitude becomes not just a spiritual exercise but a practical strategy to build resilience and well-being. Research by scholars such as Dr. Kerry Howells and Robert Emmons emphasize gratitude’s transformative power in promoting positive mental health, strengthening relationships, and cultivating a hopeful outlook.
At the heart of Catholic identity is the Eucharist—the ultimate act of thanksgiving. The very word “Eucharist” derives from the Greek eucharisteo, meaning “to give thanks.” Participating in the Eucharist invites believers into an ongoing participation in gratitude, recognizing God’s presence and grace in daily life.
Scripture reinforces this idea. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Saint Paul encourages believers to “give thanks in all circumstances,” a reminder that gratitude transcends mere emotion and becomes a way of living rooted in trust and faith. Catholic Social Teaching further affirms this by emphasizing human dignity and the interconnectedness of the community, both nurtured by a spirit of gratitude.
Christian author Ann Voskamp emphasizes this perspective through her concept of eucharisteo. She says we need to turn away from negativity or struggles, see grace by naming and honoring the blessings that surround us, and thus choose a mindset of gratitude. This practice encourages educators and students alike to see God’s hand at work in their daily interactions, turning ordinary moments into encounters with the sacred.
How can Catholic schools actively embed gratitude into their daily life? The answer lies in intentional, faith-based, consistent practices that are sustainable and adaptable to each community’s unique mission.
Daily Classroom Practices: Starting or ending the day with a moment of thanksgiving helps students and teachers pause and recognize blessings, big or small. This might include intentions during a prayer circle, gratitude journals in which students jot down things they appreciate, or creating a space for students to thank someone each day with a card or personal note.
Communal Rituals: Building gratitude into faculty meetings by asking people to share moments of gratitude and parent communications and newsletters that emphasize thanking people cultivates a school-wide culture of thanksgiving. Encouraging families to create a Blessing Box in which each family member adds something they are grateful for each day and opening the box on a special day such as Thanksgiving or Christmas creates a family ritual steeped in gratitude. Creating a Week of Gratitude in your community in which you thank the local businesses and greater community who support your school with a delivery of homemade cookies and cards written by students.
Reflection and Storytelling: Small group discussions and storytelling offer opportunities for educators and students to share stories of grace and blessing, strengthening interpersonal connections and mutual support. A few children’s books include: No One But You and The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood, Thankful by Eileen Spinelli, Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera, and The Thankful Book by Todd Parr.
Gratitude Journals and Prayer Guides: Providing templates and structured guides helps schools integrate gratitude into both formal and informal settings, ensuring it becomes part of the school rhythm rather than a one-time activity.
Intentional gratitude is more than a feel-good exercise; it has measurable effects on individual and community well-being. Psychological studies show that gratitude fosters resilience, reduces stress, and enhances emotional regulation. It strengthens social bonds by encouraging recognition and appreciation of others, which cultivates a supportive and compassionate school environment.
For Catholic school educators, these benefits align closely with the mission of fostering not just intellectual growth but forming a whole child in mind, body, and spirit.
The real challenge lies in sustaining these practices and not becoming a “one and done.” The transformation into a grateful school community requires leadership commitment and collaborative creativity. By embedding thanksgiving into daily life, schools create an atmosphere filled with grace, hope, and love—a place where every person feels seen, valued, and connected. This culture invites all to participate in discipleship, living out gospel values in tangible ways that extend beyond the classroom into families and the broader community.
In a world that often emphasizes achievement over appreciation, Catholic schools have a unique opportunity to model a meaningful way of living. By cultivating a culture of gratitude, these communities can showcase the power of grace—grace that transforms stress into strength, isolation into belonging, and routine into sacred encounters.
Gratitude is not just a trendy addition to Catholic education; it is a vital path to grace, deeply rooted in scripture, tradition, and a real understanding of human flourishing. As educators embrace and embody this path, they nurture resilient, joyful, and faithful communities—places where thanksgiving is abundant and God’s presence is known and appreciated.
Bonita Jungels, Ed.D.is the principal of Notre Dame Academy, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.bjungels@nda-mn.org
Photos courtesy of Notre Dame Academy