Independence Day and
Our Dependence on God
“Do they have a Fourth of July in Ireland?” someone once asked. The answer, of course, is yes—they have a Fourth of July every year! But for most of the world, it is simply another day on the calendar. For Americans, however, the Fourth of July marks the birth of our nation and commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on a summer day in Philadelphia in 1776.
Among its most memorable words are these:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
These are powerful words—words that not only launched a nation but also helped define its identity and mission. They continue to remind us that our rights come not from government, but from God, our Creator.
When we look around the world, we see many places where people do not enjoy these blessings. Instead of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, countless men, women, and children endure war, oppression, persecution, hunger, sickness, and suffering. The freedoms we enjoy today were secured through the courage, sacrifice, and vision of those who dreamed of a nation “conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” Each generation has been called to preserve and strengthen that vision, striving to build a society marked by liberty and justice for all.
As our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026, we recognize that the American experiment continues. Despite the challenges and divisions of our own time, we remain grateful for the blessings we have received and hopeful for the future we are building together.
As Catholics, we are especially grateful for the gift of religious liberty. We are thankful that we can gather openly for worship, proclaim the Gospel freely, and live our faith without fear. We proudly sing “God Bless America.” We honor our nation with the American flag displayed throughout our parish grounds and on the caskets of those who faithfully served our country. Religious liberty allows us to practice, share, and hand on our Catholic faith.
At the same time, we recognize that we share this nation with people of many different beliefs and perspectives. Some understand liberty primarily as freedom from religion, while we understand true freedom as the freedom to seek and do the will of God. While society often celebrates the freedom to do whatever one desires, the Christian understands freedom as the ability to choose what is good, true, and holy.
For Catholics, freedom is ultimately found not in a place, a document, or a political system, but in a Person—Jesus Christ. He is the One who guides us, strengthens us, nourishes us, and sustains us. In Him we discover the deepest meaning of freedom.
As we celebrate Independence Day, may we also acknowledge our dependence on God. In times of struggle and disappointment, where do we turn? In moments of success and joy, whom do we thank? God alone is the source of every blessing and the foundation of lasting peace, prosperity, and the common good.
May the Lord deepen our appreciation for the gift of liberty. May He inspire in us the virtues that have helped make this nation great: faith, courage, justice, generosity, and respect for the dignity of every human person.
And may God continue to bless the United States of America.