Thanksgiving message from President Passerini

November 26, 2025

Dear Gonzaga Community:

Each November, we have the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving, a day to reflect on all the gifts and blessings granted to us by God, expressing gratitude for what we have been given and appreciation for that which we ourselves give back to the world.

Yet beyond the history of the founding of the Thanksgiving holiday, I think it ever more important to reflect on the shared connection between the Jesuits and Thanksgiving. The Ignatian Examen is, in and of itself, a practice of gratitude. The first step of the Examen is to “give thanks to God our Lord for the favors received,” recognizing that gratitude is a spiritual virtue. The ability to express our gratitude should be seen as its own gift: a recognition of the talents that we have been granted in our works, and the privilege of being able to go out and change the world.

This Thanksgiving, may we find gratitude in all things, in times of good and times of challenge. Some words from beloved Zag Fr. Tony Lehmann, S.J. sum up the importance of always coming from a place of thanksgiving: "What I do is directed by gratitude rather than duty."

As the holiday season nears, please accept my deepest gratitude for you all. You have welcomed me, and my family, with open arms and made it all the clearer how special this place truly is.

I am so grateful to be a Zag, and I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

With gratitude,

Katia Passerini, Ph.D.
President, Gonzaga University