"Freedom of Worship," Norman Rockwell. 1943.
As Catholics we have been called to pray and reflect on Freedom of Worship and Religious Liberty during these days approaching the 4th of July.Hence we pray that all peoples are free to practice their faith and worship freely. . . .
For the freedom to love…
For the freedom to believe…
For the freedom to hope…
For the freedom to worship…
For the freedom to serve in charity…
For the freedom to care for the suffering…
For the freedom to comfort the sick…
For the freedom to feed the hungry…
For the freedom to shelter the homeless…
For the freedom to proclaim the Gospel…
For the freedom to walk in chastity…
For the freedom to live in peace…
For the freedom to work in good conscience…
For the freedom to stand in solidarity…
For the freedom to seek justice…
For all these freedoms . . . . Give us your grace, Oh Loving God.
O God, who gave one origin to all peoples
and willed to gather from them one family for yourself,
fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love
and kindle in them a desire
for the just advancement of their neighbor,
that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all,
each human person may be brought to perfection,
every division may be removed,
and equity and justice may be established in human society.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
+ AMEN
Based on the Collect for the Mass “For the Progress of the Peoples,”
Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, No. 29,
Roman Missal, Third Edition
To learn more from the USCCB about Religious Liberty see:
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/
