Cardinal Burke concludes Virtue of Patriotism series with Independence Day message
Cardinal Raymond Burke reflects on the Declaration of Independence's grounding in "the laws of nature and of Nature's God," in the final episode of the Virtue of Patriotism series.
In the final episode of his Virtue of Patriotism video series, Cardinal Raymond L. Burke marks the nation's 250th Independence Day by calling Americans to renew their love of country through fidelity to God, moral truth, and prayer for the nation's future.
The series is produced by the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and hosted on CatholicVote's Zeale for America 250 campaign page. The final episode was released ahead of July 4, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Independence rooted in God
"True patriotism does not blind us to the failures or sins of our nation," Cardinal Burke said. "Rather, it calls us to love our country rightly, to seek her true good, and to labor for her renewal according to the moral law written by God upon the human heart."
The episode reflects on the Declaration of Independence's appeal to "the laws of nature and of Nature's God," arguing that the nation's founding principles recognize that human dignity comes from God rather than the state and that authentic freedom is inseparable from moral truth.
Cardinal Burke says those principles remain just as relevant today as they were when the document was signed 250 years ago. He encourages Americans to respond to the nation's contemporary challenges not with discouragement but with gratitude for the sacrifices of previous generations and the courage to remain faithful in their own time.
While reminding viewers that Christians' ultimate homeland is heaven, Cardinal Burke says that hope in eternal life strengthens rather than weakens believers' responsibilities toward their earthly homeland by directing their love of country toward justice, peace, and the common good.
The episode concludes with Cardinal Burke's Daily Prayer for America 250, asking the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe; to bless the U.S.; guide its leaders in truth, justice, and peace; and help the nation "safeguard all human life, respect the integrity of marriage and the family, and honor the practice of religion."
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