As we Americans observe Independence Day this Monday, and as I like to do around the 4th of July holiday, my column this week contains an adaptation of a prayer written by Archbishop John Carroll, the first Roman Catholic bishop of the United States. His cousin Charles Carroll was the only Catholic to be a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Archbishop Carroll composed this prayer for the newly formed United States Government on November 10, 1791, and, in particular, for the Inauguration of George Washington. This prayer remains timely for our own day and age, more than two centuries after Archbishop Carroll wrote it, and I encourage all of us to make the time to recite this prayer, especially amid the many challenges currently facing our nation and its leaders:
“We pray, O almighty and eternal God, who through Jesus Christ have revealed your glory to all nations, to preserve the works of your mercy.
We pray, O God of might, wisdom and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with your 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 your 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 your 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 aim at preserving peace, promoting national happiness, and continuing to ensure the blessings of equality and liberty.
We pray for the governor of this state, for the members of the legislature, for all judges, magistrates, and other elected officials who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by your powerful protection, to discharge their duties with honesty and ability.
We commend likewise to your unbounded mercy all the citizens of the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your 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.
You are Lord and God forever and ever. Amen.”
Have an enjoyable holiday weekend and a blessed week!
Fr. Palardy
Click here to read the rest of the Pastor's note...
Click here to read Fr. Palardy's note from May 1st regarding the parish land sale to the Town of Milton...
Cardinal O'Malley requested each parish in the archdiocese to distribute information on two deeply troubling bills coming before the Massachusetts State Legislature. For information please click the image below.
O Heavenly Father, who raised Agatha to the dignity of Sainthood,
we implore Your Divine Majesty by her intercession to give us health
of mind, body and soul. Free us from all those things which hold us
bound to this earth, and let our spirit, like hers, rise to your heavenly courts. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You, forever. Amen.
Pope Francis’s Prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic
O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of Your People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus, who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
(Adapted from Vatican News.)