Archbishop Gomez celebrates 250th Anniversary of the U.S.A. with special “Mass for the nation”
Archbishop José H. Gomez celebrated the 250th anniversary of the U.S.A with a special Mass for the Nation today at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles with hundreds of faithful and priests from throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Auxiliary Bishops Brian Nunes for the San Gabriel Pastoral Region, Albert Bahhuth for the San Fernando Pastoral Region, and Matthew Elshoff for the Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region.
“Two hundred and fifty years ago, America’s founders dreamed of a nation where men and women from every race, language, religion, and national background could live together in equality; as brothers and sisters, children of the same God,” said Archbishop Gomez as he welcomed everyone to the Cathedral.
“America was established to be a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people. And the founders believed we must be a religious people — shaped by faith in God and dedicated to protecting the God-given rights of our neighbors.”
The celebration began on the Cathedral Plaza featuring LA based singer and actress, Andrea Velazquez, a student choir from St. Thomas the Apostle School in Pico-Union, local Knights of Columbus, and families from throughout the Archdiocese.
American Saints and soon-to-be saints were highlighted during the program including St. Junipero Serra, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Venerable Bishop Alphonse Gallegos, Venerable Fulton Sheen and Servant of God Dorothy Day, among other holy men and women who helped shape and share the Catholic faith in the U.S. Images of the saints were carried in procession into the Cathedral at the close of the program on the plaza.
“We gather today to pray for our nation, which will be 250 years old tomorrow,” said Archbishop Gomez during the homily (full text below). “We thank God for all his blessings and mercies throughout our history. We ask Him today to guide us as we continue the unfinished work of America — our sacred obligation to advance the dignity of the human person, who is willed, created, and loved by God.”
American flags were distributed to all courtesy of Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and a life-size replica of the Liberty Bell, weighing more than 2,500 pounds was on display.
“Love is still the only way forward for America. And love is the duty that we owe to our country as Catholics. We need to help this great nation renew its shared belief in our common humanity, in the dignity and equality of every person — no matter where they are born or if they are different from us,” said Archbishop Gomez. “We can show our nation the way. And we must. Love alone can renew the promise of America. And love begins with you and me.”
Youth from Scholas USA, an organization created by Pope Francis to bring young people together to empower them to make a positive difference in their communities, also participated in the program and liturgy. Several interfaith religious leaders were also in attendance along with Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
Live Spanish-language transmission of the Mass was made possible by El Sembrador, a Catholic media ministry based in LA. Water for all was generously donated by Vallarta Supermarkets.
Livestream of the program and Mass is available at lacatholics.org/america. Photos and videos are available for use at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Yxx6apM-xd_BkBaju5iUz1btfPOc2dVk?usp=sharing.
Homily — Mass for the Nation
(as prepared)
Most Reverend José H. Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
July 3, 2026
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We gather today to pray for our nation, which will be 250 years old tomorrow.
We thank God for all his blessings and mercies throughout our history. We ask Him today to guide us as we continue the unfinished work of America — our sacred obligation to advance the dignity of the human person, who is willed, created, and loved by God.
America’s story is unique in the history of nations.
Our founders conceived of a new nation, under God, dedicated to the truth that all men and women are created equal and made to live as free people.
They believed that human rights come — not from the generosity of governments on earth, but from the hand of God in heaven.
They believed that the reason for government is to promote and protect these rights — to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
No nation had ever before made such commitments. The founders’ vision was rooted in the Enlightenment thinking of their day, but even more in the ancient beliefs of the Jewish and Christian peoples.
We hear these ancient beliefs in today’s first reading, which takes us back to the beginnings of human history.
Those beautiful words still have the power to inspire the depths of our hearts: “Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
This is the story of the first man and woman. But it is also your story and mine. It’s the story of every man and woman.
The Lord God formed each one of us, body and soul. Personally. He made each of us with love, care, and intention. In His own image. He made us with dignity and equality.
Our nation was established on these truths, which our founders called “self-evident.”
We know that America has not always lived up to these noble ideals. During the past 250 years, we have often betrayed our deepest values.
But this vision of the human person — loved by God, desired by God, created by God for freedom — this vision has always called us back. To make a new beginning. To bring a new birth of freedom, as one of our presidents once said.
We need a new beginning now; we need a new birth of freedom in our generation.
American renewal always begins where our founders began. In the Scriptures, which are the great wellspring of our civilization.
St. Paul urges us today to become a “new self … renewed … in the image of [our] Creator.”
In Jesus Christ, we are all one people. All are one. All bear the image of the Creator. No matter where they come from or their status in society. “Christ is all and in all,” St. Paul tells us.[2]
American renewal begins when we rediscover this beautiful truth. In Jesus we are all children of the one Father in heaven, and brothers and sisters here on earth.
And if we are brothers and sisters, then we must love every person just as God loves them. “This is My commandment,” Jesus tells us today, “Love one another as I love you.”
Love is still the only way forward for America. And love is the duty that we owe to our country as Catholics.
We need to help this great nation renew its shared belief in our common humanity, in the dignity and equality of every person — no matter where they are born or if they are different from us.
We can show our nation the way. And we must.
Love alone can renew the promise of America. And love begins with you and me.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, let us dedicate ourselves once again to living in God’s image, and bringing His love to our neighbors.
We entrust our lives, our families, and this great nation to the love and protection of Holy Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Mother and Patroness of America.