For almost a full fornight,
Catholics across the United States have been in solidarity praying and fasting
for the intention of Religious Liberty.
Last week, I was assigned to a summer program in Rapid City, South
Dakota which afforded me the chance to once again visit Mount Rushmore. I had seen the monument two years ago, but
during this visit, there was more time to take in the museum and hike the ‘Presidential
Trail.’ As I took it all in, I could not
help but think of the special significance of visiting this great monument during
the Fortnight for Freedom and my time there became less a tourist moment and
more of a pilgrimage. I felt the Holy
Spirit moving my heart to intercede for each state individually as I passed by
its respective flag and in a particular way, to pray for a return to the spirit
of liberty and justice which was so alive in the hearts of our forefathers.
The very reason that sculptor Gutzom
Borglum chose Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln was to symbolize the
principles of liberty and freedom on which our nation was founded. As I took in the museum that accompanies the
monument, I was struck by the video presentation and plaques that included
quotes from each of these great forefathers which highlighted the importance of
Religious Liberty and the meaning of the human person.
Whether from George Washington’s
Inaugural Address, the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address or
Teddy Roosevelt’s 1912 address at Carnegie Hall, it was clear that each of
these men recognized freedom as the heart of who we are as a nation and as
human persons.
When I returned to Alton, I was
introduced to Father Felix, a missionary priest from Kenya who has been staying
with our sisters and preaching at nearby parishes. His experience in Africa is far different
from ours. He knows a great deal about
our history and government as he learned it as a child not only in school, but
also from his father who was a teacher.
He pointed out to us that America is the only nation that mentions God
and that we must not lose that. While he
may have seemingly been preaching to the choir, it was a reminder that the
whole world is looking to us. So many come
to our country desiring freedom, and yet that very freedom is at stake in so
many ways. We are so blessed, but we
cannot be complacent.
When I learned last Thursday of the
Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, I have to admit, I felt
defeated, like all of our efforts were in vain, and that we could just end the
observances of the Fortnight then and there.
At the same time, I was fired up.
Here I was, in the midst of a summer program during which we focussed on
sacrifice, laying down our lives, and learning the lives of great martyrs. God’s providence once again inspired and
encouraged me to keep fighting the good fight for the sake of true
freedom.
As we wrap-up this “Fortnight for
Freedom,” let us continue to walk with courage, speak boldly and pray
intensely, living our earthly citizenship so as to gain our heavenly
citizenship.
-Sister M. Karolyn, FSGM
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