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American history at 250 years: Adding "Under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance

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Columbia Magazine highlights the Knights of Columbus's successful 1954, campaign to add "under God" to the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance. The initiative, supported by Congress and President Eisenhower, aimed to contrast American values with Soviet atheism during the Cold War. Then-Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart presents President John F. Kennedy, a fellow Knight of Columbus, with a framed copy of the Pledge of Allegiance during a meeting at the White House on Oct. 11, 1961. (Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives) Article published in JulyAugust 2026, The Columbia Magazine by the staff: In 1951, the Knights of Columbus began a campaign to add the words “under God” to the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance. Grounded in historical precedent and a growing grassroots movement, the effort reached Congress and culminated when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill amending the Pledge on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. “It is a strange fact that the Pledge of Allegiance, which had its origin ...
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How the Carrolls of Maryland supported their Roman Catholic faith in colonial America

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Who Were the Carrolls of Maryland?: Young Men Who Influenced the American Revolution By Christopher Gunty   BALTIMORE (OSV News- Our Sunday Visitor) – Unable to receive a Catholic education in the British colonies in North America, three young men from wealthy Maryland families were sent to Saint-Omer, France, to study at the College of the English Jesuits. Descendants of the Carrolls of Maryland join for a photo after a Franco-American Friendship Mass Oct. 15, 2017, at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Saint-Omer, France. From left are: Denis de Kergorlay, president of the French Heritage Society and a remote descendant of the Carroll family; Harper Wright, a descendant of Charles Carroll of Carrolton; Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori, 15th successor of Archbishop John Carroll; Charles Carroll Carter Sr. (now deceased) and Charles Carroll Carter Jr., descendants of Daniel Carroll of Rock Creek; and Bishop Jean-Paul Jaeger of Arras, Boulogne and Saint-Omer. (Photo: OSV News/Ann M....
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Pope Leo receives the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia

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Pope Leo XIV assures Americans of prayers on 250th anniversary of United States "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Americans on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence." Image of Pope Leo addressing those gathered at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia as awarded the 38th Liberty Medal on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Pope Leo expresses his prayers for all Americans in a letter he sent to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, which falls today, July 4th, 2026, with the hope that "the Spirit of 1776, continue to inspire hope and unity as the United States of America moves into the future." By Deborah Castellano Lubov in Vatican News "May the Spirit of 1776, continue to inspire hope and unity as the United States of America moves into the future." Pope Leo XIV expressed this in a letter he sent to mark ...
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help was protected and venerated for centuries: Feast Day is June 27th

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How the Augustinians rescued the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help When Napoleon invaded Rome (in 1812) , the Augustinians (Pope Leo's religious order) saved the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help from destruction. Reported in Aleteia by Philip Kosloski One of the best known and most beloved icons in the Western Church is the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help . It's featured in many Roman-rite Catholic churches, and many Catholics have a devotion to this "miracle" icon. It has a fascinating history , one that involves its rescue from destruction by a group of Augustinian monks, the same religious order that Pope Leo XIV is a member of. While the current church where it is located is staffed by the Redemptorists, previously the image was kept in a church that was run for many centuries by Augustinians. Saved from destruction When Napoleon invaded Rome in 1812, he destroyed the church of San Matteo, which was between St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. It was a churc...
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Canticle of the Sun celebrating Saint Francis of Assisi

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Recognizing the 800 year jubilee celebrating the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a special Franciscan Jubilee Year running from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027. This Jubilee commemorates the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi and invites the faithful worldwide to reflect on his legacy of peace, humility, and ecological stewardship Canticle of the Sun by Saint Francis of Assisi (translated from the Umbrian text*) The beloved hymn of Saint Francis of Assisi, The Canticle of the Sun, is one of the greatest songs of Christendom. In it he praises the Creator for all the glories of creation, especially "Brother Sun" and "Sister Moon". Most high all powerful all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory all honor and all blessing. To you alone most High do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name. Be praised my Lord through all your creatures especially through my lord Brother Sun, ...
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Immaculate Heart of Mary and Fatima apparition coincides June 13

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Echo article reported in Aleteia   by Kathleen N. Hattrup Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you. My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God. This year, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary falls on the 13th of the month, meaning it coincides with the anniversary of one of Our Lady's apparitions at Fatima. In fact, June 13 was the second apparition, and it was when Our Lady first spoke to the shepherd children about her heart. The Fatima Shrine provides a translation of what Mary said that day, as recounted by Sister Lucia in her memoir: - What do you want of me? I (Lucia) asked. - I wish you to come here on the 13th of next month, to pray the Rosary every day, and to learn to read. Later, I will tell you what I want. - I asked for the cure of a sick person. - If he is converted; he will be cured during the year. - I would like to ask you to take us to Heaven. - Yes. I will take Jacinta and Francisco soon. But you are to stay here some t...
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Mexican Martyrs remembered for protecting the Roman Catholic Faith

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¡Viva Cristo Rey! A history report published in Columbia Magazine by the Knight of Columbus. A 2005, painting by Mexican artist Martha Orozco portrays the six Knights of Columbus priest-martyrs who were canonized on May 21, 2000. (Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives)  Priests and members of the Knights of Columbus  killed during the government's anti-Catholic persecution of the Cristero War in the 1920s. They were canonized by Pope St. John Paul II as part of a larger group of 25 Mexican martyrs on May 21, 2000.  The six priests are: St. Luis Batis Sáinz St. José María Robles Hurtado St. Mateo Correa Magallanes St. Miguel de la Mora de la Mora St. Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán St. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero A century ago, as Catholics in Mexico faced persecution and martyrdom, the Knights of Columbus mounted an international campaign to defend the Church. “Situation is normal,” the Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles * insisted in 1926 — even as churches across M...
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