Again, patriotic songs during Mass!

[marytk]

Correction, God is a Hoosier. :egyptian:

No Irishgal is right One of the founders of UM was Father Gabriel Richard after all.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

No Irishgal is right One of the founders of UM was Father Gabriel Richard after all.

I still stand by the Statement that God is a Hoosier. Even with the Good Father Gabriel Richard Being one of UM founders that would not Change. I have it on good authority that upon entering Heaven all will be expected to learn the words to O’ Indiana.

 

[Durnford]

Never been to the US and do not know the words but I suppose if it is a hymn asking God to Bless and Heal a country then it is fine. If it is a jingoistic song like Rule Britannia then no.

 

[Usbek_de_Perse]

God Bless America is at least a kind of prayer.

The Star Spangled Banner is more of a patriotic paen and, despite being in the Episcopal Hymnal of 1940, really doesn’t belong in church (unless you count the wonderful service post 9/11 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London where even the Queen of England sang it).

But really really really, the Battle Hymn of the Republic is about as stirring as it gets:

I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel;
“As ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal”;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
[originally …let us die to make men free]

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.

This hymn makes me proud to be American. And Christian.

 

[Monty61]

I don’t get why the occasional patriotic song at Mass bothers people so much, especially those that ask God’s blessing on the nation. I guess today’s Americans are programmed to be irritated by patriotism.

But the last straw for me at my local parish was when they played “Blowin in the Wind” for the recessional. Pretty much the song the hippies sang while they spat on the vets returning from Vietnam. Haven’t been back since, and never will.

 

[benjammin]

I don’t see why it’s a big deal. Also I don’t think singing it means a parish is orthodox or not. I’m in a very orthodox diocese and most parishes sing these songs at mass on patriotic days. To be honest we even sing the battle hymn at other times in the summer and we are not an unorthodox parish. I think it’s more because the area I live in is very much a “family god country” type of area and very politically conservative, and to be honest battle hymn of the repbulic is very stirring and fitting

 

[englishredrose]

and its just a casual hymn to us when we sing it in England. Great tune as get teeth really stuck into it. Hardly notice anything patriotic about it really. Though we do have one or two hymns that we love to declare not hymns but in the hymn book but will sing them heartily as any other and wouldn’t not go to that church based on a hymn not being quite right or something. More to life than the wrong set of words to tunes bla bla bla. though we all like our favourite words to tunes I realise since this sunday we had guide me o thou great redemer and actually only said it should be jehova because the priest said a bit of welsh singing but all in fun and nothing to not go back to that church again. surely that a bit excessive reactioin not to go to church because of two hymns out of two weeks in a whole year. Mind I have always been quite simplistic and gone to my village church without question for 25 years… I do fall out but keep going to the same church because thats what Christians do - we work through our issues for the forgiveness to really work. NOt run away from them because we don’t like them When we are not at grace it don’t mean miss a few weeks or go somewhere else to widen the gap. When we are not at grace it means we have to work at what is bothering us and work it through and be sorry and only way one can do that is to keep going to where upset us otherwise we are not properly healed, or forgiven as we not properly sorry for our disgrace… one keeps going through thick and thin whether the wrong hymn or an argument with someone …

peace be with you sister for you don’t sound at peace

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I don’t get why the occasional patriotic song at Mass bothers people so much, especially those that ask God’s blessing on the nation. I guess today’s Americans are programmed to be irritated by patriotism.

But the last straw for me at my local parish was when they played “Blowin in the Wind” for the recessional. Pretty much the song the hippies sang while they spat on the vets returning from Vietnam. Haven’t been back since, and never will.

No, that’s not why. I just think that Mass is for the worship of God, not country. If the choir wants to sing it AFTER Mass, no problem. Not as the Communion song, not as the recessional. AFTER Mass.

And I agree with you that “Blowin’ in the Wind” would make me and I too would never return.

 

[DaveBj]

No, that’s not why. I just think that Mass is for the worship of God, not country. If the choir wants to sing it AFTER Mass, no problem. Not as the Communion song, not as the recessional. AFTER Mass.

And I agree with you that “Blowin’ in the Wind” would make me and I too would never return.

I thought that the recessional was “after Mass.” The Mass ends with the final blessing, doesn’t it?

 

[coachdennis]

Here we go againopcorn:

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I thought that the recessional was “after Mass.” The Mass ends with the final blessing, doesn’t it?

Well, yes, I meant the “performance” tunes could be after that. Our recessional ends while there are still people in the sanctuary and the pianist always breaks out into some other song that he wants to practice or just play, so the patriotic song could be played then.

 

[dabunno]

America has always been blessed by God, and I think it’s to the benefit of the entire world that we ask God to continue to bless America, no matter what country you are from. If we stop asking (which we have, in large part not to offend non-Americans) and we stop being blessed, suffering across the world may increase. I think it’s getting bad enough without snubbing God when it comes to taking care of our country. I also pray for other countries - and their citizens are free to do so or not, but I wouldn’t think of judging their decision.

I was so moved at Mass today when they sang My Country Tis of Thee, a Capella - then when the 4th verse started the organ began playing louder than I’ve ever heard it. (Our fathers’ God to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright, With freedom’s holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King!) It was a blessing in itself.

 

[dabunno]

What about people who aren’t from this country? But who are Catholics? It is One Holy Catholic and Apostolic, not one National Church.

The churches in each country should ask for God’s blessings on their countries. God knows we need it! If someone isn’t from this country, but living here, it is their choice and I would think they would appreciate God’s blessings on their new home.

 

[dabunno]

Try looking at the words to God Bless America as a prayer of petition.

“Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.”

America the Beautiful as a prayer of Thanksgiving.
*
“God shed His grace on thee”*

There is more to these songs than patriotism.

You should be thankful that you were able to be in a church structure, and able to openly worship your faith. (not everyone in the world is so lucky)

I could go on and on about this, but I will let my signature tell you the rest.

Amen.

 

[englishredrose]

The churches in each country should ask for God’s blessings on their countries. God knows we need it! If someone isn’t from this country, but living here, it is their choice and I would think they would appreciate God’s blessings on their new home.

If those people are worried by that then hopefully the priest will be aware and include them by, when he is proclaiming God bless America and all who come and make America their present home etc… That be easy to include would it not ?