National Anthem as a Processional?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pitcairn17
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I’ve always been conflicted about patriotic songs during Mass. On one hand, for the 4th, I see nothing wrong with giving thanks for your nation. On the other hand, it smacks of civil religion to me, and I’m uncomfortable with that.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m okay with something patriotic “God Bless America”/ “America the Beautiful” etc. is okay for the recessional, but that’s about it.

Once, I was at a 4th of July Mass and the cantor said: “Our communion meditation will be America the Beautiful.” I was not okay with that.

On the other hand, Independence Day is an optional memorial, I believe, so maybe it is appropriate? 🤷‍♂️
 
On the other hand, Independence Day is an optional memorial, I believe, so maybe it is appropriate?
On another thread, we’ve been discussing…it’s a votive Mass only (not even an optional memorial, no particular Mass for July 4th as an American holiday, just prayers that could be used to fit the occasion; no reference at all in LOTH), so it’s still borderline at best (and in my opinion, inappropriate).
 
Really? I have never heard it sung in church over here and tbh I wouldn’t be too happy about it. Sports events and stuff is ok 🙂
 
No
In the UK it is not unusual for the national anthem to be sung at church services. Perhaps the difference is that our national anthem takes the form of a Christian prayer for our monarch. It wouldn’t be sung during a procession, which would seem a bit irreverent.
i am in the UK, and have never heard the National Anthem at Mass,. I would be shocked if i did! In fact, I’d probably complain.
In Anglican services - Scout/Guide Church Parade perhaps – but never at Mass.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Nik
The question of patriotic songs at Mass comes up around national holidays. Today, the “Star Spangled Banner” was used as the entrance “hymn,” which struck me as wildly inappropriate. I’ve experienced songs like “America the Beautiful” as a recessional, which seems more benign, but what happened at Mass today seemed just wrong. Or is it just me?
No, I wouldn’t like it either. They didn’t do that at the mass I went to on July 4 but they did play “America the Beautiful” as the recessional hymn, which I still didn’t care for.
 
So would it be ok to play other national anthems in a spirit of inclusivity? I like the Russian anthem which is now purely musical. And the Croatian one is pretty good, though I think they could, given their history, dispense with the references to sabres.
 
I don’t recall suggesting ATB for mass. I suggest God of Our Fathers, the US National Hymn as fitting.
 
Back in 2017, when I was a postgraduate student in London, a special Mass was said at Westminster Cathedral for Her Majesty’s sapphire jubilee. It was the most striking Mass I’ve ever been to outside of Christmas. At the end of the Mass, Cardinal Vincent Nichols gave a short speech and publicly instructed the organist to change the closing hymn to God Save the Queen to celebrate Her Majesty’s 65th anniversary. It was the BEST national anthem played on a church organ that I’ve ever heard.

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!! :uk:
 
The entrance hymn is not part of Mass; Mass starts after the priest gets to the altar and begins Mass.
I think this might be arguable; the rubrics do call for a procession at the beginning of Mass. (There is no such reference for the end of Mass, however.)
 
Last edited:
I believe that is entirely inappropriate to play a national anthem or other secular music at mass or otherwise during the Church’s liturgy. Fortunately, I live where this is unlikely to be an issue. I think it is possible as a Catholic to show your loyalty and patriotism towards to country by means other than during the liturgy.
 
Seldom hear anything remotely patriotic at Mass on holidays anymore. Usually, The Battle Hymn of The Republic–inclusive language version–renders as “Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory”. More often as not “Let There Be Peace On Earth” of which there have been several revisions since it first appeared a half-century ago.
 
The question of patriotic songs at Mass comes up around national holidays. Today, the “Star Spangled Banner” was used as the entrance “hymn,” which struck me as wildly inappropriate. I’ve experienced songs like “America the Beautiful” as a recessional, which seems more benign, but what happened at Mass today seemed just wrong. Or is it just me?
This was 100% inappropriate.

It’s inappropriate from BOTH a liturgical standpoint & from a patriotic standpoint.

Unlike America the Beautiful, the Star Spangled Banner does not mention God at all. It’s about a battle during the War of 1812 and who the people knew the Americans had not lost because the flag was still waving.

American should be standing at attention when the National Anthem is being played, not processing or marching.

This is a lack of liturgical edict and a lack of flag edict.
 
In the UK it is not unusual for the national anthem to be sung at church services. Perhaps the difference is that our national anthem takes the form of a Christian prayer for our monarch. It wouldn’t be sung during a procession, which would seem a bit irreverent.
Yours is different. God Save the Queen (King) is totally appropriate. And in the Latin Mass, there are post Mass prayers for the Queen prayed after every Low Mass.

But aren’t you supposed to stand at attending during God Save the Queen? I can’t understand how a processional or recessional can be taking place during any National Anthem. Everyone should be standing at attention.
 
Last edited:
So would it be ok to play other national anthems in a spirit of inclusivity? I like the Russian anthem which is now purely musical. And the Croatian one is pretty good, though I think they could, given their history, dispense with the references to sabres.
As a processional or recessional, no.

When a national anthem (If any country) is playing, everyone should be standing at attention (often saluting or with a hand over the heart).

Priests should not be walking during the playing of any national anthem.
 
When a national anthem (If any country) is playing, everyone should be standing at attention (often saluting or with a hand over the heart
Is this a universal thing? I think the hand-over-heart bit is purely American.
 
Different cultures have different social rules about this kind of thing for sure. Standing with your hand over your heart is far from universal.
 
40.png
phil19034:
When a national anthem (If any country) is playing, everyone should be standing at attention (often saluting or with a hand over the heart
Is this a universal thing? I think the hand-over-heart bit is purely American.
I didn’t say it’s universal. But standing at attention is.

However, I have seen people in the Olympics from other nations place their hand on the heart during their national anthem.

If you visit this site, and scroll down to Civilian Salutes, you will see some mentions.


The hand over the heart salute basically replaced the Roman Salute which was given a bad name since the Nazi’s used a variant of the Roman Salute. So some countries, like the US, replaced the Roman Salute with the hand over the heart, while other counties replaced the Roman Salute with simply standing at attention.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top