Most people don’t realize this:

The first Thanksgiving on U.S. soil wasn’t in Plymouth.

It didn’t happen in 1621.

And it wasn’t led by the Pilgrims.

It was Catholic in St. Augustine, Florida, on September 8th, 1565.

When the Spanish settlers arrived, the very first thing they did was celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Feast of the Nativity of Mary.

After the Mass, they shared a meal with the Timucua people in a moment of peace, gratitude, and faith.

This took place fifty-six years before the more familiar story in New England.

As we gather with our families and communities today, this forgotten moment offers a simple reminder:

God and appreciation has always stood at the center of the American story.

Long before it became a holiday, it was a recognition that every good thing begins in grace. That we not only need to give thanks to God but the relations and people we cherish around us.

We’re grateful for the entrepreneurs, builders, and believers who make this community possible.

Your courage, generosity, and desire to serve something greater than yourselves are the reasons Fides exists.

What unites us is not only ambition, but a shared conviction that faith can guide the creation of a better future.

That unity is a gift.

And it is something we never take for granted.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we give thanks for each of you, for your support, your trust, and the mission we are building together.

God bless you and your families.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Fides.

Fides Entrepreneurship