America 250: An Act of Patriotism

An Act of Patriotism. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that social injustice is not solely the result of individual wrongdoing, but is often embedded within structures, systems, and cultural norms that perpetuate inequality. Echoing the teaching of Saint John Paul II on “structures of sin,” the Holy Father emphasizes that justice requires both personal and societal conversion.

Remembering the Wounds of the Past as an Act of Patriotism 

by Shareena M. Grant, Associate Director, Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation 

“Painful events require both history and memory, the former to recount the facts, the latter to bear witness to lived experiences.” — Pope Leo XIV 

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While this milestone invites celebration of the many achievements that have shaped our nation, it also calls us to an honest reflection on moral failures such as slavery and violence against Native Americans. Remembering the wounds of the past is an act of love for those communities impacted by the sins of the past, and for our nation, as we seek to ensure that those failings are never repeated.   

In Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that social injustice is not solely the result of individual wrongdoing, but is often embedded within structures, systems, and cultural norms that perpetuate inequality. Echoing the teaching of Saint John Paul II on “structures of sin,” the Holy Father emphasizes that justice requires both personal and societal conversion. It is not limited to the fair distribution of resources or the correction of present injustices; rather, it includes a restorative dimension—one that seeks to mend broken relationships, restore dignity to those who have been marginalized, and address the enduring wounds caused by historical injustices such as war, colonialism, racial discrimination, and exploitation (MH, no. 79).  

Remembering is not merely something passive; it is a sacred act. To remember is to make the past present, allowing truth to shape our conscience today. As Catholics, we profess that all people are created in the image and likeness of God (Imago Dei) and endowed with an innate human dignity that is God’s gift. Yet history tells us that Black and Indigenous peoples endured dehumanizing treatment in denial of their dignity. In the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts, they describe the experiences of these communities in detail. 

Slavery is often referred to as America’s original sin. It denied the human dignity of many people, and its long shadow has ramifications even now. The Church, too, has had to confront its own historical complicity and gradual moral development in condemning such injustices. The Holy Father states,  

“the Church has gradually come to a deeper awareness of the gravity of these issues… neither can we deny or diminish the delay with which both society and the Church came to denounce the scourge of slavery…there has been a continuous affirmation throughout history of the dignity of every human being, created in the image of God, even if it took eighteen centuries for its full incompatibility with slavery to be explicitly recognized. This constitutes a wound in Christian memory, one from which we cannot consider ourselves detached. It is impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many in stark contrast to their immeasurable dignity as persons infinitely loved by the Lord. For this, in the name of the Church, I sincerely ask for pardon” (MH, no 176).  

Sharing truthfully about past wrongs is essential to healing the historical wounds that come with rejecting the human dignity of people— wounds that continue to impact our society today. For many, hearing these stories evokes deep emotions: pain, sorrow, shame, and discomfort. These reactions can tempt us to avoid truth-telling altogether. However, Pope Saint John Paul II calls the Church to a different path in Ecclesia in America, “The memory of the dark chapters of America’s history… must awaken a sincere desire for conversion leading to reconciliation and communion” (no. 58). Though remembering may be painful, it is through this honesty that healing becomes possible. Memory opens the way to conversion, reconciliation, and renewed communion with one another. 

This call to healing and justice is not abstract; it is embodied in the lives of those whose witness points the Church toward a more hopeful future. Black Catholics await with anticipation the causes for canonization of seven African American candidates often referred to as the Saintly Seven. 

Each of their lives was shaped—directly or indirectly—by America’s original sin of slavery and the racism that followed. Yet their witness testifies to the perseverance, faith, and hope of Black Catholics who continued to love and serve the Church even when they themselves experienced exclusion, rejection, or injustice from the very community that was called to embrace them as brothers and sisters in Christ. For example, Venerable Augustus Tolton, discerned a call to the priesthood—only to be denied entrance because religious orders and seminaries in the United States refused to accept Black vocations. Despite these barriers, he and the other Saintly Seven found ways to persevere, to respond faithfully to God’s call, and to serve others who shared their experience of marginalization. 

They embody resilience rooted not in bitterness, but in hope. Their witness echoes the words of Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, when she asked the U.S. bishops in 1989: 

“What does it mean to be Black in the United States?… Our history includes deep suffering and injustice, but also profound faith, spiritual richness, and cultural gifts… Those who survived the Middle Passage brought with them wisdom, faithfulness, and a deep trust in the God who saves.” 

For Sister Thea, and for the Saintly Seven, memory is not about dwelling on suffering alone, butabout honoring the faith that endured within it. This is why we remember. This is why we tell the stories. And this is why the work of repairing past harms and striving for justice, healing, and reconciliation must continue. History also shows that transformation is possible when individuals and communities commit themselves to the dignity of all people. The Holy Father points to moments such as the civil rights movement in the United States—shaped by the witness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—and the end of apartheid in South Africa under the leadership of Nelson Mandela. These examples, along with the contributions of countless courageous individuals across the world, demonstrate that a more just and humane society can be built when we choose reconciliation over division and love over hatred (MH, no. 124).  

This is the reason the work of the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice is important in accompanying the Church in the work of racial justice and moving towards healing and reconciliation.  

As our nation marks 250 years of independence, may we remember our history in its fullness—giving thanks for the achievements and progress that have shaped our country, while also acknowledging the pain, suffering, and wounds that remain. May we commit ourselves to the work of healing and reconciliation. And may we faithfully pass these stories on to those who come after us, so that future generations are inspired to confront injustice, repair harm, and work for true reconciliation. In all of this, may love always prevail.

This article is part of a series exploring Catholic contributions over 250 years of American history. Find out more at We Hold These Truths.

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