Celebrate gift of freedom through prayer

Published: June 27, 2016

The United States celebrates its independence July 4. In addition to fireworks and picnics, this is a good day to thank God for our freedom and remember not to take it for granted.

During the Fortnight for Freedom, which ends July 4, we have been asked to pray, act and deepen our awareness of religious freedom and its importance. We also celebrate the feasts of St. Thomas More, St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, Sts. Peter and Paul and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome, who were all great martyrs that remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power. 

Marking these feasts offer an important reminder that religious persecution is still happening in today's world. Pope Francis has spoken many times about the struggles of religious minorities worldwide.

On Nov. 25, 2014, he said: “I cannot fail to recall the many instances of injustice and persecution which daily afflict religious minorities, and Christians in particular, in various parts of our world. Communities and individuals today find themselves subjected to barbaric acts of violence: they are evicted from their homes and native lands, sold as slaves, killed, beheaded, crucified or burned alive, under the shameful and complicit silence of so many."

The Holy Father also addressed the need to protect religious freedom in America during his recent visit to the United States. “Let us preserve freedom. Let us cherish freedom. Freedom of conscience, religious freedom, the freedom of each person, each family, each people, which is what gives rise to rights," he said during the Meeting for religious liberty with the Hispanic community and other immigrants in Philadelphia Sept. 26, 2015.

“(May) you defend these rights, especially your religious freedom, for it has been given to you by God himself.” — Pope Francis, Philadelphia, Sept. 26, 2015

Please remember all those who suffer persecution and oppression worldwide by praying for them as we celebrate the gift of freedom we enjoy in the United States. The following Independence Day prayer was taken from "Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers."

God, source of all freedom,
this day is bright with the memory
of those who declared that life and liberty
are your gift to every human being.

Help us to continue a good work begun long ago.
Make our vision clear and our will strong:
that only in human solidarity will we find liberty,
and justice only in the honor that belongs
to every life on earth.

Turn our hearts toward the family of nations:
to understand the ways of others,
to offer friendship,
and to find safety only in the common good of all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.