Sunday Mass, American Heroes parade, brunch at a favorite restaurant overlooking the river, family time at home, homemade Red, White & Blueberry Triple Chocolate Brownies, then back downtown to watch the fireworks over the lake… Such a great day celebrating our beautiful country!
Prayer for the Church and for the Civil Authorities
Composed by Archbishop Carroll, 1791
We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.
We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope Francis, the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.
We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.
We pray for his Excellency, the governor of this State, for the members of the Assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.
Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God bless the United States of America!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful prayer.
What great photos! Thank you for sharing them!
Jessica, Y'all's family is so beautiful and a great inspiration to all. Keep up the great work. God bless y'all!
Thank you for sharing your 4th Of July celebration with your beautiful family.
Joan
Jessica, what a lovely celebration for July 4th Your town surely knows how to honor our great country. The children look so festive. God Bless.
Marilyn
Thank You Jessica for the beautiful prayer. Fun was had by all. Your family always seem to be so happy and contended. You have a wonderful family.
Marion
Fantastic photos of the Fourth! Thank you for brightening the day! And now I think I know why you nicknamed your littlest one "Joy". Could it be because just seeing that adorable one brings instant JOY?! What a doll she is!And aren't they all 😉
The sign and quote on the Marine truck is nauseating!
As a Catholic, I’d expect you to at least honor the commandment “thou shalt not kill” — unborn or Muslim lives! Please prayerfully consider this.
The Marine truck refers to terrorists. You are the one assuming who those terrorists are. A terrorist is anyone who “uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims” and I am thankful for the job the US military does to protect us against them.
Greetings to you from Ireland.
to clarify: I was not offended about "Muslims" in particular. I was offended at the killing of ANY lives, for Catholics are known for being PRO-LIFE. So you can read my last sentence as "thou shalt not kill" — unborn or Terrorist lives! Please prayerfully consider this.
Also to clarify the Church’s pro life position isn’t the same as the Seventh Day Adventists, or the Quakers, or the Amish. The 5th Commandment infers the principle of a Just War is a permissible act as discussed in our Catechism book:
"2265 Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for someone responsible for another's life. Preserving the common good requires rendering the unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm. To this end, those holding legitimate authority have the right to repel by armed force aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their charge"