Catholic Fire

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. - Psalms 33: 12. Eternal God, stir our minds and stimulate our hearts with a high sense of patriotism on this Fourth of July. May all that this day symbolizes renew our faith in freedom, our devotion to democracy, and redouble our efforts to keep a government of the people, by the people, and for the people truly alive in our world. Grant that we may highly resolve on this great day to dedicate ourselves anew to the task of ushering in an era when good will shall live in the hearts of a free people, justice shall be the light to guide their feet, and peace shall be the goal of humankind: to the glory of your holy name and the good of our nation and of all mankind. Amen. - Prayer offered in Congress by Chaplain, Rev. Edward G. Latch, D.D. Wednesday 1974

What can I say to express my gratitude to our military heroes? Is a simple "thank you" really enough for those who have given their lives to preserve our freedoms? If for just one day, let us honor them and pray for them and for those they have left behind. Let us thank those who have served for all they have done. A Prayer for Memorial Day Remember, Lord, the fallen Who died in fields of war, In flaming clouds, in screaming crowds, On streets that are no more, That we today might waken And greet this day in peace With grateful prayer for those who bear The storms that never cease. Remember friends and strangers, And those forgotten now, Whose names are known to you alone, Before whose love we bow And ask that you surround them With mercy’s endless light That they may live, and we forgive The foe they went to fight. Remember, Lord, the living, Who bear the pain of loss- A death she died who stood beside Her Son upon the cr...

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye. Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity. Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.You can't tell a vet just by looking. He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel. He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38 th parallel. She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang . He is the POW who went away one person and came back ...

Poem: "These Heroes All" by Kelly Kirkpatrick Standing guard o'ver Heaven's bounds, to duty called by God, Harkening when the trumpets sound Saint Michael's call aloud, Is a holy, brave brigade of men and women bold, Though their earthly life they've paid, o'er none has death a hold. Heroes all, in virtue steeped, immune to evil's touch, They now with angels vigil keep and still watch over us. Partnered with Almighty God, alive for evermore, Members of His Honor Squad and free on wings to soar. Each fell in bloody battle hard that we might e'er live free, Sacrificed on razored shards of cruel destiny. Let not the banner they held proud, their caskets now which grace, Lie in tatters as a shroud: forgotten, soiled, disgraced. Raise it high and in their names join those who carry on, Those still battling Satan's flames, their numbers few but strong. Keep alive their legacy as they would wish it done, Their sacrifice to keep us free uniting us...