aeternus

As today is the Fourth of July I thought I would pass along two wonderful prayers for our Nation. Enjoy your hot dogs and fireworks today!

Almighty God,

You have given us this good land for our heritage.

We humbly ask You that we may always prove ourselves.

a people mindful of Your favor and glad to do Your will.

Bless our land with honorable endeavor,

sound learning and pure manners.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion,

from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way

Defend our liberties and fashion into one united

people the multitude brought here out of many

nations and tongues.

Endow with the Spirit of wisdom those to whom in Your Name

we entrust the authority of government,

that there may be justice and peace at home,

and that through obedience to Your law we may show forth

Your praise among the nations on earth.

In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness,

and in the day of trouble do not allow our trust in You to fail.

Amen.

~~ by Thomas Jefferson

I also thought this an appropriate time to remember what our good Bishops did for this country when at their meeting in Dallas, Texas 2002 they prayed this prayer. The prayer was adapted from one used by August Cardinal Hlond of Poland in 1946 when he renewed Our Lady as patroness of Poland as originally done on 1656 by King Casimir. Our own bishops formally consecrated the United States to Immaculate Mary as our Patroness in the mid-1800s.

Consecration of America for U.S.Catholic Bishops Meeting

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…

Immaculate Mary, most Holy Mother of God and of Our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, we the people of the United States of America at this historic
moment stand before you in a humbled condition of love, loyalty, affection,
and thankfulness. To your Immaculate Heart we recommit and dedicate
ourselves throughout the entire American nation. To your Son Jesus Christ we
pledge to serve His teaching, His church, and to work for His kingdom on
earth. O Mary, to you do we flee for protection. Surround the American
family with your maternal care; enfold us in your arms. Give to this
American land, built on the blood and tears of so many faithful forebears, a
peaceful and praiseworthy existence in truth, love, justice, and freedom. O
Mary, we submit to you as the Patroness of our beloved country. O Mary, Help
of Christians, enfold the Holy Father and the Catholic Church within your
protective cloak; be our shield in the days ahead. Give to the Church true
holiness and freedom. Obtain for our leaders holy zeal, the ability to face
the truth, and the courage to correct all abuses. Stop the flood of atheism,
greed, heresy, impurity, lukewarmness, materialism, and selfishness that
threaten our nation. Show to those who have strayed from the Church the way
to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Mother of God, accept our personal consecration to
you and, through you, bind us forever to the Holy Trinity. Gather us all
into your Immaculate Heart and unite us forever with Jesus.
O Mary, we love you.

Amen.