“In the genial atmosphere of liberty [the Church] blossoms like a rose.” – Cardinal James Gibbons, address upon taking possession of Santa Maria in Trastevere, March 25, 1887
Religious freedom allows the Church, and all religious communities, to live out their faith in public and to serve the good of all. Twice a year, the Catholic Church in the United States intensifies its efforts around this crucial topic: during Religious Freedom Week, between June 22, Feast of St. John Fisher and Thomas More, and June 29, Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul, and on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or Christ the King on November 20. With these celebrations in mind, the Archdiocese of San Antonio has developed a dedicated section on its website with resources that will allow people to pray, learn, and act on those dates and throughout the year in defense of what the US Bishops call “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty.”
Pray for Religious Liberty
Prayer for Religious Liberty
Almighty God, Father of all nations,
For freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1).
We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty,
the foundation of human rights, justice, and the common good.
Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties;
By your grace may we have the courage to defend them, for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land.
We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness,
and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
with whom you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty
O God our Creator,
from your provident hand we have received
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,
and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.
We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.
Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be “one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Novena to Christ the King
The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King on the last Sunday of the liturgical calendar. Use the Novena to Christ the King to pray for the freedom of the Church during the nine days preceding the Solemnity.
Other prayer resources from the USCCB
Learn About Religious Liberty
Church Teaching on Religious Freedom
In the course of over 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has developed a significant body of teaching on human rights, conscience protection, the relationship between Church and state, and religious freedom.
What is Religious Freedom?
Religious freedom is not only that of private worship. This video features stories of the importance of religious freedom for institutions that perform the works of mercy–educating children, feeding the hungry, and healing the sick:
Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: Statement on Religious Liberty
In 2012, the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty of the USCCB issued a statement on Religious Liberty titled “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty.”
First Freedom Blog
The First Freedom blog offers interesting reflections on religious freedom.
Lectionary Notes for the Solemnity of Christ the King
Lectionary notes (with readings of the day and useful talking points) for the Solemnity of Christ the King.
Religious Liberty Throughout the World
To learn more about the status of religious liberty throughout the world, here are the links to two prestigious world reports:
Act for Religious Liberty
First Freedom News: Monthly Newsletter
Sign up to the USCCB Religious Freedom Newsletter for interesting news and updates delivered to your inbox. This USCCB monthly newsletter will keep you up-to-date with the latest resources and information on the right to keep our religious freedom.
Action Alerts
Sign up to receive action alerts at the USCCB Action Center, and find out how you can engage government officials and advocate for religious liberty.
Text Messages
To stay up-to-date on current religious freedom issues, sign up for text messages from the USCCB. Just text the word “FREEDOM” or “LIBERTAD” to 84576.
Contact your Members of Congress
When needed, call your members of Congress to advocate on behalf of religious freedom. The U.S. Capitol switchboard number is 202-224-3121, or call your Representative’s and Senators’ local offices. Additional contact info can be found on Representatives’ website at www.house.gov and Senators’ website at www.senate.gov.
