Truth, Piety, and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

The virtue of patriotism cannot be rightly understood apart from the virtue of piety, which the Holy Spirit perfects in the Christian soul. Piety is not sentiment or emotion. It is that filial disposition by which we acknowledge the truth about ourselves before Almighty God. It expresses humble obedience to the divine order and grateful recognition of all that we have received from his provident hand. Piety embraces first our duties toward God, our Creator and Redeemer. From this primary duty flows the honor we owe to our parents, and by extension, to our homeland.

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that after God himself, the greatest benefactors in our lives are our parents and our country. For through them we receive life, education, and the inheritance of culture. As religion renders worship to God, so piety renders due honor to parents and homeland, recognizing in both the instruments of divine providence. Piety is part of the sevenfold gift of the Holy Spirit poured forth into the human heart from the divine heart. The Holy Spirit enlightens our hearts to see persons.

And even our nation, in the light of divine charity, purifying our judgments, deepening our gratitude, and directing the fulfillment of our responsibilities toward the common good. When patriotism is animated by the Holy Spirit, it is freed from selfishness, partisanship, and ideology. It seeks not earthly advantage, but the authentic good of the nation, grounded in truth, justice, and charity. It becomes an expression of ordered love, strengthening families, renewing society, and disposing the earthly city to receive more fully the reign of Christ, the King of Heaven and Earth.

O sacred heart of Jesus, King of heaven and earth, I place today my nation, the United States of America, into your heart, pierced for love of us. On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I acknowledge that true liberty is your gift, and that our lasting homeland is the eternal kingdom of God. Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, and through the intercession of her immaculate heart, bless my homeland anew, purify her from sin, and guide her leaders in truth, justice, and peace.

So that she may safeguard all human life, respect the integrity of marriage and the family, and honor the practice of religion, reign in my home and in my nation, draw every heart into communion with you, that your truth, love, justice, mercy, and peace may triumph in America and throughout the world. Amen.