The Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis paid tribute to the nation’s founders on Independence Day, saying they realized that our core principles are endowed by God.

“God, source of all freedom, this day is bright with the memory of those who declared that life and liberty are your gift to every human being,” the archdiocese said in a Facebook post. “Help us to continue a good work begun long ago.” 

This nation’s founding was tied to a belief in God and God-given rights, author Max Anders said in an essay on the holiday from a Christian perspective. 

He used examples to back up that notion. Thomas Jefferson said in the Declaration of Independence: “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.” 

Unlike many countries that were founded on the basis of shared ancestors or geographical borders, the United States was founded on shared beliefs. As Patrick Henry once 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) offered the following 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.”

"Turn our hearts toward the family of nations: to understand the ways of others, to offer friendship, and to find safety only in the common good of all,” the archdiocese said in its posting. “We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”