The Bells of Freedom

For Greater Glory

For Greater Glory is the epic story of the Cristero War, during which the Catholic Church of Mexico suffered unspeakable persecution and bloody martyrdom of historical proportion. The movie is a MUST-SEE, and the official companion book, written by Ruben Quezada, a MUST-READ, to more fully appreciate our religious freedom and understand the present battle that we, as an army for Christ, must bravely fight on our knees, in order to defend and preserve that precious liberty.

The Silence of the Bells

The church bells were silenced in Mexico during the Cristero War for nearly three years. The ringing of the bell, a symbol of liberty in American history, was foremost on my mind and heart this past Independence Day.

The United States Catholic Bishops had invited all Catholic churches and all Houses of Worship to ring their bells at noon (9AM Pacific) as a special sign of solidarity for religious liberty.

In the serenity of morning, from my own back yard, I could clearly hear the ringing of the bells of St. Patrick’s, my parish church. I prepared to attend the Holy Mass, which, during the Cristero War, was an act of public worship forbidden by the law of Mexico’s tyrannical president.

I offered my prayerful participation in this Mass in gratitude to God for my religious freedom. I prayed in union with our Bishops, the Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints and all people of faith at this fitting conclusion of the Fortnight for Freedom, that those same bells will ring freely next year, and in all future years, “for the sake of our children, our grandchildren and all who come after us.” We must continue to pray.

America

Samuel Francis Smith wrote My Country, ‘Tis of Theemore than one hundred years ago. The lyrics of this patriotic hymn are as relevant a tribute and a prayer today as they were when they were written in 1831.

My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From ev'ry mountainside Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.

Viva Cristo Rey! Long Live Christ the King!

+JMJ+