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On Saturday, July 4, we commemorate the anniversary of the Independence of the United States. In many places, like my own town in Ohio, it will be a different kind of celebration. We will not be able to go to Lake Erie’s shore to see the fireworks at dawn since they were cancelled. We will not gather with relatives to have our traditional Fourth of July picnic since some of them are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and we want to protect them.
Last May, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, led an act of consecration in which he dedicated the U.S. to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking for her protection from the global pandemic we are currently experiencing.
He joined with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in renewing the consecration of the two nations to the care of our Blessed Mother. This Fourth of July, instead of sending fireworks to the sky, we can send prayers to Heaven by saying the Prayer of Renewal of Our Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a family.
Mary, Mother of the Church, you are enthroned as queen at your Son’s right hand: we ask your intercession for the needs of our country. Amen.
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