Patriotic Songs At Mass

[adstrinity]

Don’t know if I or anybody else has made a post about this, but, what do you think about this? It’s not Church music, and, it’s Protestant written. It mentions God, but…I just don’t know…maybe I can articulate it better later. What do you all think about this? Does it happen in your church? Do you mind it?

 

[Della]

adstrinity:

Don’t know if I or anybody else has made a post about this, but, what do you think about this? It’s not Church music, and, it’s Protestant written. It mentions God, but…I just don’t know…maybe I can articulate it better later. What do you all think about this? Does it happen in your church? Do you mind it?

Well, it depends entirely on which patriotic song it is and when it is played. At our parish such songs are only played as the recessional because, properly speaking, the recessional is after the Mass because the people have already been dismissed. And such songs are only played on national holidays or over a holiday weekend, such as the 4th of July or Labor Day, etc.

A song having been written by a Protestant doesn’t exclude it’s use for the Mass, but it should not contradict Catholic theology. This is why I have a problem with Amazing Grace, especially the line that reads: “saved a wretch like me” when we do not believe in OSAS, as the lyric implies, but in ongoing formation in holiness that leads to salvation.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I think it depends on the patriotic song.

Now, I love Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Navy Hymn). There’s nothing really un-Catholic in it, as you can see at this site:

cyberhymnal.org/htm/e/t/eternalf.htm

I can’t find a site that has the stanza for the Corps:

Eternal Father, grant we pray,
To all Marines, both night and day,
The courage, honor, strength and skill,
Their land to serve, Thy law fulfill!
Be Thou a shield forevermore
From Ev’ry peril to the Corps.

From Book of Worship for US Forces​