 With the nation’s 250th anniversary approaching, many of us are remembering our country’s past starting with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While American Catholicism arguably began before 1776, the semiquincentennial of our nation is a great time to remember what makes American Catholicism unique. From the founding of American religious orders to the election of Pope Leo XIV last year, we Catholics in the United States have a beautiful tradition of our own to both celebrate and carry with us for the next generation. As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, let us offer prayers of gratitude and intercession for our nation. Here are 3 American saints we can turn to with our prayers: 1. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton If you’ve gone to a Catholic school, then you’ve got Elizabeth Ann Seton to thank. Born in New York City in 1774, Elizabeth grew up Episcopalian. She married William Magee Seton in 1794, but he died of tuberculosis just nine years later. After her husband passed, Elizabeth converted to the Church and became a Catholic in 1805. Her family disowned her because of her conversion. Eventually, Elizabeth moved to Emmitsburg, Maryland. There, she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s and St. Joseph’s school, which paved the way for other Catholic schools. She died in 1821 and was canonized in 1975, becoming the first native-born U.S. citizen to become a Saint. When Elizabeth converted to the Church, being a Catholic in America was very unpopular, and she lost her family and wealth because of her decision to follow Christ. Today, being Catholic in America, where many of the values of the Church are unpopular in society, is still not easy. Speaking out for what we believe in may cost us our reputation in the eyes of others. Elizabeth shows us how we can still live for Christ even when it’s hard and be brave, for the Gospel can plant seeds for the next generation. 2. Blessed Solanus Casey When you think of famous priests, you usually imagine eloquent preachers or cardinals – not a porter. But Blessed Solanus Casey touched thousands of people’s lives in this simple job. Born in Wisconsin in 1875, Solanus tried various trades before entering St. Francis Seminary when he was 21. He left and eventually joined the Capuchins in 1896 and was ordained a priest in 1904. Because his studies were difficult for him and his superiors did not believe his theology to be developed enough, Solanus wasn’t allowed to preach or hear confessions. Most of his ministry was spent as a porter or sacristan, but it was through these small roles he touched the hearts of so many people and shared his wisdom with them. When Solanus died in 1957, over 20,000 mourners paid their respects to his coffin. In the middle of everyday life, especially in a secular country, witnessing to the Gospel is difficult. If we live ordinary lives, it can feel nearly impossible. Solanus shows us that even if our voices are small, God can echo them further than we can imagine. Even when his superiors stacked the deck against him, Solanus used the small moments to carry God’s light to others. We can do the same, no matter what our vocation might be. 3. Venerable Fulton Sheen Venerable Fulton Sheen (soon-to-be Blessed Fulton Sheen) was a theologian, bishop, and evangelist, using radio and TV to spread the Gospel during the 20th century. Born in Illinois in 1895, he was raised in a Catholic family and was ordained to the priesthood in 1919. Throughout his vocation, Sheen wore many hats: professor, theologian, philosopher, and bishop. What he is most known for was for evangelizing through countless books, radio hours, and TV broadcasts. He even won an Emmy for his show Life is Worth Living and pulled in more viewers than the popular variety shows that aired at the same time. In his writings and preaching, Sheen covered a variety of topics, from education to the sacraments to reflections on Scripture, with a clear and kind voice. JPII even said to him, “"You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You are a loyal son of the Church." Sheen died in 1979, but his influence still reaches to the present day. Like us, Sheen was living in an age defined by its technological advancements. He used these resources to boldly spread the Gospel to millions of people. Even after Sheen adapted to the radio for his show The Catholic Hour, he wasn’t afraid to rise to the challenge of using television to teach everyday people about the Church. In times of change, we can look to the saint as an example of how to adapt to share the Gospel. There are others as well, including St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. John Neumann, St. Katherine Drexel, Blessed Michael McGivney, Venerable Augustus Tolton, and more. This Independence Day, learn more about one of these American saints or even the history of your local diocese. Our country has so much history to celebrate this year – including the people that helped shape the Catholic faith in the United States. Author
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 When I was a young adult, my mom and I would discuss politics. When the discussion got heated, mom would say, “I totally disagree with you, but I will defend to my death your right to say it.” I was baffled; annoyed that she ended the debate but also affirmed. A close read of the Declaration of Independence helps me understand the depth and significance of what my mom meant. The Declaration of Independence is 1,337 words long, written by a committee of five with Thomas Jefferson, a delegate from Virginia, as the principal author. It was 1776; the Continental Congress had convened in Philadelphia and Jefferson drafted the declaration in his boarding room. Independence is not declared until the last paragraph. As the summation of the rationale for independence, this paragraph is worthy of our attention and consideration. 1. The delegates declare they are representatives of the colonies assembled “in congress.” 2. They appeal to “the Supreme Judge of the world” for the moral rightness of their action. 3. They speak in the name, and with the authority of, “the good People of these Colonies.” 4. They declare the colonies “free and independent states” severing all ties to the King of England and “the State of Great Britain.” 5. They declare that they have all the rights of an independent state. 6. Finally, in support of this declaration, our founding fathers, “with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence,” mutually pledged “to each other our lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” I believe it was this mutual pledge, a pledge of life, fortune, and sacred honor, that my mom was getting at in our debates. We can disagree and debate vigorously if, and only if, we have a bond that connects us to each other deeper, and greater, than either of us. It is this mutuality that we must reclaim as citizens of the United States of America. When our founding fathers unanimously approved the Declaration of Independence on July 2nd, and then signed it on July 4, 1776, they were committing treason. They shifted their allegiance from the King of England to each other. Our founding fathers were far from perfect, but they were people of faith and principle. They had a clear, even reluctant, rationale for independence. Most of us know the beginning of the second paragraph, “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” God gives all individuals equality and the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To secure these God-given rights, humans create governments that derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The divine “right” is given to each person, not to a king. Consequently, when a government no longer secures these rights, then it is the right of the people; “it is their duty,” to “throw off” the abusive government and create a new one. Based on these principles, the founding fathers – as if they were prosecuting a case before a world court of independent states – identified 27 charges against the King of England. They concluded this list of charges with two additional paragraphs. One where they chronicle the many ways they attempted to address these grievances directly with the King. The second is on their efforts to engage their “brethren.” So, the second paragraph is the rationale based on the rights God gives to everyone, then the 27 grievances, paragraph three chronicles their appeal to the King, fourth is an appeal to their “brethren,” and the fifth and final paragraph is the declaration of independence. What about the first paragraph? It serves as a preamble. Independence breaks the bond with one country and establishes a new one, which “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them.” Respect for the “opinions of mankind” require that this new nation “declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” This review of the Declaration of Independence helped me appreciate what mom taught me fifty years ago. It has renewed my faith in the founding principles of our country – faith in God, equality, unalienable rights, the responsibility to create a government that secures those rights, and our pledge of mutuality. As Catholics we understand mutuality through the principle of solidarity which is grounded in the incarnation itself, “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Pope Francis, in Fratelli Tutti (no. 66), encourages us to “rediscover our vocation as citizens” because we are “called to direct society to the pursuit of the common good.” Our bishops, in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (2023), applied this truth to our country. “The perennial role of the Church in public life is proclaiming timeless principles: the infinite worth and dignity of every human life, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiary.” Democracy is not for the faint of heart. As Catholics, we wholeheartedly embrace the challenges and the promise of democracy because we believe it is only possible through faith – in God and each other.
 For Americans, the annual observance of the Fourth of July celebrates the independence of the United States. Our national story is made up of the varied lives and unique experiences of countless peoples who nonetheless share in seeking “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Each of these people is following his or her own American Dream, the achievement of which requires hard work, fortitude, and faith. As we celebrate and reflect upon our personal freedoms— long fought for and subsequently defended— we also acknowledge those peoples whose rights are continually imperiled or at risk of being curtailed by injustice. The United States by no means has a spotless record in establishing civil rights, but those efforts have raised up incredible heroes who sought to make the American Dream more accessible peacefully and justly. As Catholics, we especially thank God for His blessings on this land and for the preservation of our rights to bear witness to Him publicly as Americans. Thanks to the efforts of French and Spanish missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries, Catholicism began to take root among the indigenous peoples of what would become the United States. As the fledgling country wouldn’t have an installed bishop until 1789, the American Church continued to grow during the first half of the 19th century thanks to the influx of Irish and German immigrants seeking the religious toleration which was becoming less and less abundant in Europe. Protestants were critical of these arrivals, declaring it was not possible to be a good American and Catholic at the same time (partly due to false beliefs spread about allegiance to the Roman pope). Thanks to the determination of these immigrants, and the grace of the Holy Spirit, by 1850 Roman Catholicism was the largest denomination in the United States. Despite the political and cultural persecution American Catholics experienced, the ministries and loving charity of certain clergy and religious ensured that the needs of their fellow citizens were met. Figures like Mother Cabrini and Mother Seton founded religious communities that took care of the poor whom society all too often ignored. Mothers Drexel and Duchesne cared for Native Americans (as did Kateri Tekakwitha), African Americans, and women as they evangelized with the missionary spirit. Fr. Michael McGivney began a member-benefit society (which would become the Knights of Columbus) to care for the widows and families of Catholic male breadwinners who lost their lives. Isolated from the public square, the Catholics of this country nevertheless found a niche caring for other outcasts through a public witness that expressed faith as the catalyst for action. Doing so forced many observers to cease their suspicions and prejudices and helped normalize Catholicism in America. The examples of faithful religious continued to inspire Catholics in all walks of life to live out their faith freely. In recognition of their faithful witness of the Gospel, many of these brave citizens are now hailed as saints for universal veneration in the Church. Today, secularism and the misrepresentation of civil rights threaten the very foundation of the society which Catholics have indisputably helped shape. Legal challenges are filed against religious symbols, schools, churches, and charities, supposedly for discriminatory actions or the preservation of the separation of church and state. American Catholics are often torn between publicly defending these institutions and their work or avoiding antagonization for speaking out. Nonetheless, the Church continues to meet the needs of the poor and the outcast in the same spirit of welcome the poet Emma Lazarus immortalized in the words of “The New Colossus,” which hangs in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty: “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” As Americans, we thank God for the gift of religious liberty and for those who continuously defend it. As Catholics, we pray for our leaders to be guided by the Holy Spirit to pursue justice and for those abroad who are still struggling for the basic rights and freedoms we enjoy. There is no shortage of opportunities around us to live and act as the saints before us. The American story continues with each of us; perhaps its future chapters will tell of the great love and commitment of countless citizens who welcomed the refugee, defended the unborn, cared for the disabled, accompanied the lonely and the imprisoned, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, promoted charity, and honored the dead. We have much to celebrate on July Fourth; may God always guide our nation in the ways of liberty and justice for all.
n the wake of the Holy Father’s first visit to the United States, the Catholic Apostolate Center would like to share some of our favorite quotes from his time here. This is a two-week series where we will share 10 quotes each week. We invite you to use these quotes and images as you “Move forward! Siempre adelante!” in your journey of faith. 1. “In prayer, God keeps calling us, opening our hearts to charity.” Prayer is nothing more than lifting our hearts or minds to God. God, the Eternal Present, is at all times beckoning us towards deeper union with him. Pope Francis reminds us that the fruit of prayer is charity—selfless love. We cannot spend true time with God in prayer and remain untransformed by his charity. It is this encounter with Charity itself—with God—that impels us to respond with charity towards others. 2. “Joy springs from a grateful heart.” As Christians, we are called to be a witnesses of Christ’s love and the Father’s mercy. Joy is the fruit of holiness, of unity with God. May we be joyful people of Resurrection whose light reflects the unquenchable light of God. Choose joy. 3. “Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again, rejoice!” As Pope Francis said in his homily during the Canonization Mass of Junipero Serra, St. Paul practically orders us to rejoice. What a beautiful “commandment.” What often strikes people, Christian or not, about Pope Francis is his joy. Pope Francis radiates the joy of the gospel. It is precisely this joy that he exudes which attracts so many to him. This joy comes from the Lord. Only by rejoicing in Him, will we be able to rejoice for Him and invite others into this joy. 4. “God bless America!” This statement from Pope Francis throughout his visit is short but powerful. Pope Francis, the Vicar of Christ, is calling down God’s blessings upon the American nation. In so doing, he is blessing our roads, our work, our families, our very existence. May we be a people of blessing. May we be a blessing to others—living signs of the ultimate blessing of God. 5. “If we want life, let us give life. If we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities.” In his address to Congress, Pope Francis cited the Golden Rule as a solid foundation for promoting the common good. In our individualistic society, we often forget our vocation to promote the common good. It’s difficult to see how our actions impact others. Pope Francis reminds us to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12) 6. “In the face of unjust and painful situations, faith brings us the light which scatters the darkness.” Our world is wrought with injustice, suffering and hardship. The seeming lack of logic regarding suffering leads many to reject the notion of a benevolent, loving and present Creator. Pope Francis spoke the words above to a group of homeless individuals at Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C. In doing so, Pope Francis does not try to excuse injustice or suffering, but affirms that God does not abandon us to face it alone. 7. “Jesus keeps knocking on our door in the faces of our brothers and sisters, in the faces of our neighbors, in the faces of those at our side.” Oftentimes, it’s tempting to love humanity as a whole and become frustrated with people in particular. This could mean being short with our co-worker, impatient with a roommate or ignorant of the impoverished we pass by on the street. Pope Francis reminds us that Christ is present in each and every one of us. He is knocking on the door of our hearts, asking us to invite him in in the face of those we reject, overlook or avoid. Let us start by loving people in particular in order to love humanity as a whole. 8. “God is present in every one of you, in each one of us.” Each of us is made in the image and likeness of God, which means that we all carry inherent dignity. Humanity’s status as the epitome of God’s creation means that we are called to treat others respectfully and be treated thus. By reminding ourselves not only that God is present within us, but in each one of us, we can begin to live according to our dignity and honor the dignity of every human life. 9. “Prayer makes us brothers and sisters.” When we pray, we pray to the same Father. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus opened the doors of heaven to mankind after the Fall and enabled us to call God “our Father.” Because we are now made sons and daughters of God, when we pray, we join the whole of the Church. May we live as a family, as brothers and sisters striving to return to our true home with God our Father in heaven. 10. “Forward! Keep moving forward!” As Christians, we are called to always move forward in our journey of faith, on our mission of love. Pope Francis reminds us that the way forward requires encountering Christ so that we may encounter him in others. Though our world oftentimes is filled with darkness, the Christian goes forward boldly towards the light of Christ. May we go forward each day in our pursuit of God himself, in our pursuit of holiness and love.
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