Out of Many, One
“THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” “Sunshine patriot" is a term coined by Thomas Paine in The American Crisis (1776) to describe someone whose support fades when circumstances become difficult.
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. bishops will consecrate America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11, 2026. Under the title “We Hold These Truths: Celebrating Catholic Contributions to the United States of America on the Semiquincentennial Anniversary.” From a Salesian perspective, it seems most fitting to turn to the Heart of Jesus to find the strength, fidelity, and tenacity we need to continue the ongoing challenges that come with the commitment to pursuing independence through interdependence: creating a society that promotes “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for people of all walks, states, and stages of life.
After all, Jesus Himself was no “Sunshine Patriot.” Jesus did not shrink from His commitment to serving and loving the human family despite all the difficulties that he encountered in his sharing with us – and modelling for us – the ultimate source of life, liberty, and true happiness: the Good News of the Gospel. In the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we find true humility: the ability to know our place in this world - and the courage to take it - in making this world a better place. Likewise, in the heart of Jesus, we find true gentleness: the commitment to working collaboratively with others for that better world, not through force, but through love.
May we emulate our Founders’ commitment – as Catholics and as citizens – to “mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” as we work together in our efforts to fashion both a country and a church that give convincing witness to the belief that “Out of Many, One.
Fr. Michael Murray, OSFS
Pastor of St. John Neumann
Reston, VA
A note on American History:
“THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”
Thomas Paine wrote these stirring words in his first installment of his pamphlet series The American Crisis during the darkest days of the American Revolution a mere six months following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when General George Washington’s demoralized army was retreating from New York through New Jersey with British and Hessian troops in hot pursuit and facing the very real possibility of defeat. Paine used the phrase to rally the dispirited colonists and call out the "summer soldier and the sunshine patriot" — those who would abandon their country's cause the moment things got difficult. He argued that a tough conflict makes the eventual triumph of freedom all the glorious.
According to legend, George Washington ordered it read to his roughly 2,400 shivering troops right before his daring Christmas night crossing of the icy Delaware River on the freezing, storm-battered night of December 25, 1776. After successfully landing, they marched through a harsh winter nor'easter and launched a surprise attack on the Hessian forces stationed at Trenton, New Jersey, securing a desperately needed victory that preserved the revolution.”
Learn more about the Oblates