America is celebrating its 250th birthday this July. Imagine how many candles have to be placed on one big cake.
It was on that faithful day, 56 men pledged their lives and fortunes to make a nation free from the control of the British crown. One of them was a Catholic representing the colony of Maryland, Charles Carroll.
Born on Sept. 19, 1737, Charles was the only son of Charles Carroll of Annapolis and Elizabeth Brooke. He was educated in Europe at some of the prestigious schools run by the Jesuits.
Scott McDermott, author of “Charles Carroll of Carrollton: Faithful Revolutionary,” pointed out that Catholics, like the Carrolls, “really were a very oppressed minority group” in the original 13 colonies.
During the early days of the colonies, Catholics faced “serious persecution, including not being able to vote, not being able to hold public office, not being able to worship publicly,” he said.
Through the wealth of the Carrolls, they helped sponsor Masses to be celebrated in people’s homes.
In 1776, Carroll became a representative for the colony of Maryland and joined other delegates in the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Two of his cousins, Daniel and John, were active in politics. Daniel helped frame the US Constitution. Meanwhile, John would become the first archbishop of the United States for the (you guessed it) Archdiocese of Baltimore, MD.
By 1789, he would be elected one of the first senators from the state of Maryland.
Carroll would become the longest living signer as he lived to the rightful age of 95.
This week, as Catholics commemorate the day America declared its independence, we should also give thanks for the life, witness, and courage of Charles Carroll, who paved the way for Catholics to be free in America.
To the gentleman from Carrollton, Maryland, we thank you.