Happy Independence Day!

            Today we celebrate America’s birthday and Her independence as a free Nation! May God bless America and grant her liberty and justice for ALL! As Christians we are grateful for liberty and the freedom to do what is right. Although we may have our grievances against some of the things going on in America and the troubled past we have, we rejoice in the triumph of freedom over tyranny, of good over evil and the sacrifice of those who gave us our freedom. May America's patroness, Mary, the Immaculate Conception, bless our Nation! Remember Micah 6:8 and Galatians 5:13.  

              Today it’s important to celebrate America alongside advocating for people of color, the LGBTQ+ community as well as women who are having their rights and dignities trampled upon by the Supreme Court. In an election year that is very divisive and concerning we celebrate the goodness of the American people as we strive for equality. Therefore, amidst today's summer celebration it is important to have true patriotism which is to care for your fellow American and to celebrate the goodness in the hearts of the American people just as we will cheer for Team USA later this month during the Olympics. There's always an option to wear progressive shirts, black for mourning injustice as well as for Americans who are Black, brown and Indigenous (orange is also worn for the indigenous), pink for women’s rights or rainbow for the LGBTQ+ community. The latter is a means of extending Pride month as the Stonewall riots continued into July and these protests are patriotic. Please check this post about effective allyship to be a better American for all Americans. Finally, July 4th is also known as Independence from Meat Day, a day to adopt a vegan lifestyle, try some Vegan 4th Recipes.

 Immaculate Mary, Our Patroness

Immaculata Maria, Mater Americae, ora pro nobis!

(Immaculate Mary, Mother of America, pray for us!)

“The Blessed Mother, under the title of the Immaculate Conception, has been a patroness of the United States since 1846. She was chosen as such because of the common devotions to Mary (especially as the Immaculate Conception)  that many ethnic groups brought when they came to the United States, an immigrant country. She serves, then, as a uniting patroness to the diversity of cultures, traditions, and perspectives of people in this country. She is the spiritual embodiment of the nation’s vision statement: “E pluribus unum” (out of many, one). As pilgrims to World Youth Day, Mary the Immaculate Conception can once more be a uniting force bringing together all the young people from such a diverse country as ours (with its beautiful collage of language groups and cultural families; those from cities and small towns, suburbs and farmland; the rich, the poor, and the middle class; those working and those studying; from the West Coast to the East Coast, from the North to the South, from the Midwest to the mountains).  The Blessed Mother, with her maternal love for us, brings all people together to point them towards God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” -Diocesan.com

How Mary Become Our Patroness

Our Lady of Good Help, an American Apparition 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas 

Mary and America

An In Depth Look of Our History with Mary

More Resources

Independence Day History, Customs and Facts 

Brief July 4th Informative Video

4th of July History and Symbols

 "Fireworks, Picnics and Flags"

Patriotic Symbols

Patriotic Resource 

Striving for Freedom as American Catholics

Celebrating as an Aware Citizen

American Saints

An Example of Progressive American Catholicism

Vice President Harris on Fighting for Equality

Historically Patriotic Foods  Note: Around World War II when soldiers were asked why they were soldiers they’d respond “for mom and apple pie” baked beans are another historically important food for today’s celebrations! 

Rights and Responsibilities of Americans 

How the States Got Their Names 

The Patriotism of Walt Disney

July 4th at Disney World

Independence Day Movies and Programming 

Liberty Kids Episode: Independence Day

A Capital Fourth Program

Independence Day TV Specials

Independence Day Horror

A Happy 4th Playlist

Note: Please be considerate of those with PTSD and animals if you set off fireworks this Independence Day.  If you're a pet owner and you won't be home, make sure your pet is comfortable. Please leave fireworks to professionals as well because wildlife is effected by fireworks in uncaring hands, instead buy donations for animal shelters.

       

      

Note: As with any holiday, even as today is almost a second Christmas (as observed by John Quincy Adams, the 6th POTUS) it's not the parades, food and fireworks but the freedom we celebrate that makes today important and the inward joy not the outward celebrations are what makes today most important. So for anyone with OCD or FOMO let today be about family and freedom and living in the present moment. Don’t force any expectations of yourself but to be mindful of the moment and embrace it. For all those depressed, social anxiety, eating or substance abuse disorders or in need of any help, please reach out and talk to someone, someone is always willing to listen.

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