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| Immaculate Conception Blessed Virgin Mary Patroness of the United States of America |
"I will espouse you to me forever: I will espouse you in right and in justice,in love and in mercy;I will espouse you in fidelity,and you shall know the Lord."
Hosea 2: 21-22
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Father of all nations and ages,
we recall the day when our country
claimed its place among the family of nations;
for what has been achieved we give you thanks,
for the work that still remains we ask your help,
and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation,
grant that, under your providence,
our country may share your blessings
with all the people of the earth.
Collect, Independence Day
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Blessed and Happy Independence Day to the United States of America! We celebrate the freedom which comes from God as we give thanks for the riches He has bestowed upon us in the form of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
A larger-then-usual group attended the weekday morning Holy Mass, most of whom were wearing some variation of red, white and/or blue, in solids, stripes, stars or other prints. From the youngest toddler to the almost-104-year-old Monsignor it was beautifully apparent that all those gathered in thanksgiving were "one from many" ancestries united in prayer as the one family of God. It was fitting that we had come together at a shrine of the Miraculous Medal under the patronage of our Blessed Mother Mary, the Immaculate Conception.
Today, in a special way, we give thanks for our faith and freedom.
Each and every day may we share the faith entrusted to us and strive to ensure freedom for all God's people.
God bless America! God bless you!
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