We celebrated the Fourth of July, Independence Day on Saturday this weekend. On this day, we remember and appreciate the birth of our nation. This day is not just a time for a trip to the lake or for a cookout. Catholic author, Norm Langenbrunner reminds us that Independence Day is also a time “…for remembering the courage and sacrifice of our nation’s founding generation and succeeding generations who have imitated them. From the Lincoln Memorial in DC to the sunken Arizona in Pearl Harbor, Americans pause to remember and many whisper a prayer of thankfulness.”

This day also marks the end of the “Fortnight for Freedom” Campaign sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As Catholics, we are called to truly cherish in a very special way the many freedoms we enjoy in this country. The Campaign serves to remind us that these freedoms should never be taken for granted. As we have previously noted, there are those in our society who are attempting to undermine our trust and belief in God, and in the process are distorting our precious freedoms. As disciples, we are invited to pray that this trust in God may be restored in our nation through the example of our leaders. In the aftermath of the recent Supreme Court ruling concerning the definition of marriage, our bishops once again remind us that there is a need to strengthen the moral foundation of our country, a moral foundation based on faith and trust in the Lord. There is also a need to reaffirm our commitment to guard and protect our freedoms, especially our right to religious liberty.

As we celebrate Independence Day and as we bring our ‘Fortnight for Freedom’ Campaign to a close, we are invited to pray this prayer provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: :