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 glorious war  of  independence  in  the  year  1809; such as  that  which  the  patriots  of  Ireland and Poland  displayed  in  their  long  struggle and heroic  resistance  to  their  anti-Catholic persecutors —  suffering  fire,  sword,  famine, poverty, sickness,  and  every  kind  of  privation for  the  sake  of  religious  principle  and love of  country.

What strengthened  the  hand  of  all  these heroes, what  rendered  them  so  courageous? It was  our  holy  religion,  our  Catholic  faith.

Does history  furnish  a  more  splendid  example of  patriotism  than  that  of  the  heroic Maid of  Orleans? In her  case  love  of  God and love  of  country  were  certainly  united most intimately. The Blessed  Joan  of  Arc was convinced  that  God,  Eternal  Justice, looked with  pity  upon  her  oppressed  Fatherland and  that  she  was  commissioned  from  on high  to  deliver  her  country;  hence  her  undaunted courage,  her  valor,  her  energy,  her perseverance, and  her  triumph.

Do you,  therefore,  my  dear  young  friend, highly prize  your  holy  Catholic  religion,  faithfully fulfil  all  the  duties  it  lays  upon  you, order your  life  according  to  the  laws  it  proclaims;  then  will  you  in  the  right  way  have eye, heart,  and  hand  for  your  Fatherland.

I love  thee  my  country,  the  dearest  of  all, I will  faithfully  serve  thee  whatever  befall; A powerful  source  of  courage  to  me The  Faith  of  my  fathers  ever  shall  be.