Independence Day typically brings people together, but with the divisiveness in our nation these days, David Ricken, bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay, called upon people to pray for leadership to bring the nation together.

“On this Independence Day, pray for our political leaders, that they can work to find creative solutions to support life,” he tweeted. “And pray for our country, that this new era can be a time for unity and peace.” 

He acknowledged the challenges we face as a nation and reminded people that our differences were planned.

"Some seek to divide us as a nation,” he said in another tweet. “Others sow endless discord among us. We are called to be different, as this week's Gospel says, "like lambs among wolves." On this #IndependenceDay, we proclaim again how we are ONE NATION, UNDER GOD and commit ourselves to this reality today!” 

Although the Fourth of July is a secular holiday, this nation’s founding was tied to a belief in God and God-given rights, author Max Anders said. 

Thomas Jefferson said in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” 

Unlike many other countries, which were founded on the basis of shared ancestors or geographical borders, the United States was founded on shared beliefs. Patrick Henry once said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.” 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a recommended prayer for Independence Day. It reads: ”God of justice, Father of truth, who guide creation in wisdom and goodness to fulfillment in Christ your Son, open our hearts to the truth of his Gospel, that your peace may rule in our hearts and your justice guide our lives.” 

Mary, the Mother of God, has been the patron saint of the United States since 1846, the USCCB said. She was chosen as its patron saint because many of the different immigrant groups that have come to the U.S. share a special devotion to her, and she unites different people with her maternal love. The USCCB describes Mary as the embodiment of "E pluribus unum," which means "out of many, one.”