"For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few."
We embark on the narrow gate and constricted road that leads to life, liberty, and happiness.
Here is an excerpt from the homily given by Archbishop William Lori at the opening mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washinton D.C. which began the 14 day prayer for religious liberty in the U. S from June 21-July 4th
"Religious
freedom includes the freedom of individuals to act in accord with their faith
but also the freedom of church institutions to act in according with their
teachings and to serve as a buffer between the power of the state and the
freedom of the individual conscience.
If we fail to
defend the rights of individuals, the freedom of institutions will be at risk
and if we fail to defend the rights of our institutions, individual liberty
will be at risk..."
"By prayer, education, and by exercising our rights as citizens, let us never cease defending the only notion of freedom worthy of our dignity as persons and sturdy enough to support our democratic way of life and it’s this: ‘freedom is not the power of doing what we like but the right of being able to do what we ought.’
For, as George Washington said in his Farewell Address,“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity,religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
As you may know, only one Catholic signed the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the cousin of Archbishop John Carroll, who laid the cornerstone of this Basilica in 1806.
Like all Catholics, Charles Carroll was forbidden by Maryland colonial law from taking any part in political life, especially from holding office. Carroll risked his life, family, and property by supporting the revolutionary cause but he did so, and I quote, “to obtain religious as well as civil liberty.” He added: “God grant that this religious liberty may be preserved in these states to the end of time, and that all who believe in the religion of Christ may practice the leading principle of charity, the basis of every other virtue.”
If freedom is a system based on courage and if the motive of democracy is love, then let us strive in God’s grace, throughout this Fortnight and beyond, to be men and women of courageous love for the glory of God, for the good of the Church and for love of country."
Today in the parish we have 40 hours of devotion for our country. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed and the faithful will gather to pray. We begin this morning at 6:30 am and we will go untilThursday night at 9pm where we will have benediction and litany of liberty.
We pray together and thus we take a stand for liberty knowing the road is constricted and the gate is narrow but what a beautiful gate it is. As ST. Thomas says, it is better to limp on the right path than to run full speed on the wrong.
St THomas Moore and St John Fisher pray for us!
Today in the parish we have 40 hours of devotion for our country. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed and the faithful will gather to pray. We begin this morning at 6:30 am and we will go untilThursday night at 9pm where we will have benediction and litany of liberty.
We pray together and thus we take a stand for liberty knowing the road is constricted and the gate is narrow but what a beautiful gate it is. As ST. Thomas says, it is better to limp on the right path than to run full speed on the wrong.
St THomas Moore and St John Fisher pray for us!
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