The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrates the Fourth of July by leading a prayer for the United States.

"Happy Independence Day! Join us in prayer for our country today,” the diocese posted on Facebook. 

It then added a short prayer from the New Roman Missal: “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 peoples of the earth.”

Even though the Fourth of July is a secular holiday, Catholic dioceses honored it because this nation’s founding was rooted in a belief in God and God-given rights, author Max Anders said in an essay about the holiday. 

He used Thomas Jefferson, the writer of the Declaration of Independence, as an example, when he wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” 

Anders said the United States is unique because unlike many other countries, which were founded on the basis of shared ancestors or geographical borders, America was founded on shared beliefs. He cited Patrick Henry, who said: “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.” 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) put out this recommended prayer for Independence Day: ”God of justice, Father of truth, who guide creation in wisdom and goodness to fulfillment in Christ your Son, open our hearts to the truth of his Gospel, that your peace may rule in our hearts and your justice guide our lives.” 

Mary, the Mother of God, has been the patron saint of the United States since 1846, the USCCB said. She was chosen as its patron saint because many of the different immigrant groups that have come to the U.S. share a special devotion to her, and she unites different people with her maternal love. The USCCB describes Mary as the embodiment of "E pluribus unum," which means "out of many, one.”