Every year the 4th of July is a special holiday in Philadelphia. The city takes a lot of pride in the fact that Thomas Jefferson and other representatives from the thirteen British colonies on the East Coast hammered out the Declaration of Independence in a rented room in a small house on Seventh Street. This year the country is marking 250 years, since the Declaration was signed by men who collectively became known to us as “the signers." It was then read out to the populace; not all of whom were really convinced it was a good idea.
One hundred years later, the city produced "the Centennial Exposition," introducing Philadelphia to the industrial age, and the world to Philadelphia. Science, manufacturing, horticulture and the arts were on display.
My father remembered and used to talk about the sesquicentennial of 1926, the 150th anniversary of American Independence. But although the celebration was much less grandiose, it did leave behind a huge Municipal Stadium, later renamed after President Kennedy who attended the 1962 Army-Navy game there. I happened to be in the stands on that day, celebrating my own 16th birthday.
In 1976, the Bicentennial seemed ill-fated. For one thing, the American Legion's national convention at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel became the scene of mysterious deaths. It turned out that the hotel's air conditioning system had become an incubation and distribution center for what came to be known as Legionella bacteria. On top of that, the city experienced all the joys of a trash strike. And although Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip finally came over to see what all the fuss was about, New York City managed to steal the spotlight with the harbor there hosting a parade of tall ships. I happened to be on mission in Tokyo, Japan, and the hoopla of the bicentennial even reached St. Patrick's parish in Tokyo. I think the parish council must have felt sorry for me, missing out on being in my homeland for such a big occasion. Perhaps out of desperation, and much to my surprise, I received a congratulatory bouquet of flowers from the parish council. And I remember watching the tall ships on television with Japanese commentary, feeling grateful to be on mission to such thoughtful folk.
This year, as the USA is celebrating 250 years as an independent country, the Diocese of Lodi in Northern Italy is hosting the 27th "Columbanus Day," an international Columbanus meeting carried out in collaboration with the "Amici de San Colombano,” the Cammino de San Colombano and the City of Lodi. I have been invited so once again I will be out of the country. The event will start off on Friday evening, July 3 with - of all things - traditional Irish music. Lodi is the hometown of Mother Frances Cabrini and there will be a walk from there to the parish church of San Colombano al Lambro. In the evening, St Columban's relics will be brought from his burial site in Bobbio. And there will be a concert in the Piazza della Vittoria. There is also a full day of activities with friends of St Columban from Ireland, France, German speaking areas, and Italy.
On the next day, July 6, the bishop of Piacenza-Bobbio will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at the tomb of St. Columban. I will be thanking God for being a Columban missionary priest, and, of course, for my Country's independence.