As we embark upon this new year 2026, all of us, as citizens and as a nation, have a unique opportunity to reflect on the momentous anniversary that we will commemorate throughout the year to come, namely America’s semiquincentennial — our 250th anniversary.
On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia July 4, 1776. Our war for independence, though commonly called a revolution, was more accurately a self-conscious preservation of an ancient political order in a new form, where God would remain at the center of public life and with a people oriented to self-government, public morality, and personal virtue.
Although the U.S. Constitution would not take effect until 1789, we recognize that the common political project that would become our United States of America began definitively with the Declaration of Independence, which acknowledges that every human person is “endowed by their Creator” with natural and unalienable rights including “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
America’s 250th anniversary, particularly when public celebrations take place from coast-to-coast July 4, is a reminder that just as we should strive to turn to God and live by his divine law in our personal lives, so too is our country called to honor God and recognize the religious dimension that is fundamental to our nation’s life. We should be mindful of and thankful to God for the blessings he pours out on people and nations alike, which strive to uphold the demands of truth and justice. Although America has no official state religion, our form of government and way of life have always been boldly and prophetically Christian in nature. As Americans, we recognize in our Pledge of Allegiance that we are “one nation under God.” On our currency, we proclaim our “trust” in God. In so many ways throughout our history and national life, we have proclaimed the glory of God. Our 250th anniversary is an invitation to continue to practice our national virtues, while resolving to combat, by God’s grace, all those vices that threaten the common good of our country. May we be encouraged, as ever, by the command of Our Lord to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Mt 28:19)
As faithful Catholics, we are called to do our part in working for justice and peace in our country. January presents several important opportunities for all to participate in advocacy and witness that may convert hearts and minds as well as law and policy in our nation.
Virginia Pro-Life Day takes place Jan. 15 in Richmond, the second day of the Virginia General Assembly session. Strong pro-life representation will be crucial given the potential for an early vote by lawmakers on an extreme pro-abortion amendment to our commonwealth’s constitution. I will be present in Richmond and encourage all the faithful and people of goodwill to consider making the journey to Richmond to advocate peacefully and powerfully for the fundamental human right to life. (Read more at vaprolifeday.org.)
The National March for Life will take place Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. in Washington. Despite the overturning of Roe v. Wade, nearly 1 million abortions continue to take place annually across our nation. Although the Dobbs decision of 2022 was a landmark victory, the goal of the pro-life movement has always been the eradication of abortion. As a matter of justice, American law simply cannot tolerate the intentional killing of innocent human persons. We must continue to share the Gospel of Life as peaceful and loving advocates with the aim of changing our national and state laws to protect every human person from the threat of abortion. I encourage parishes and parishioners across the diocese to be a part of this year’s March for Life to make your voices heard.
Together, may our prayers rise up to God and our voices resound in the halls of our elected officials, so that American and Virginia law may be conformed to God’s divine law of love for all people.
As Americans, and as a people of faith, this year is truly one worth celebrating in thanksgiving and recognition for all God’s many blessings upon America over our 250 years as a nation. May we pray that God will continue to bless our American republic and his church throughout this historic year and always.
