The Diocese of Phoenix celebrated the Fourth of July by thanking God for the gift of freedom and independence.

“Join us in giving thanks to God for the United States of America,” the diocese posted on Facebook. “Have a blessed day with your family and friends!” 

Catholic leaders in America celebrate the Fourth of July even though it is a secular holiday, saying this nation’s founding was tied to a belief in God and God-given rights, author Max Anders said. 

In an essay on Christianity’s roots in this nation, Anders said Thomas Jefferson mentioned God in the Declaration of Independence, 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 contrasts the United States with other countries that were founded on the basis of shared ancestors or geographical borders. In America, it was a shared belief in God that bound us, Anders said. He cited Patrick Henry, who 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) suggested a prayer to offer up on 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.”