Patriotic songs during Mass?

[Mickey_Jackson]

My parish has a habit of using patriotic songs for the recessional hymn on Sundays before major national holidays. This past Sunday, as the choir sang “America the Beautiful” in honor of Memorial Day, and I thought about all of the beautiful Catholic hymns that were perhaps better suited for the Feast of Corpus Christi, I had to wonder if this practice is permitted. I’m all for honoring America’s veterans, but everything I’ve read - the Vatican II Constitution on the Liturgy, the GIRM, etc. - says that only sacred music should be employed during the Mass.

Am I correct, or am I just being a Young Fogey (extra points for those of you who catch that reference)?

On the plus side, the priest did give an excellent homily. He pointed out that whenever the Pope comes, so many people flock to see him that they have to hold Mass in a stadium. Yet when priests say that Jesus Christ, the King and Savior of the world, comes every day to their very own parish, people say, “You can’t seriously expect us to come every week.” Good food for thought.

 

[IrishAm]

The recessional would be after the conclusion of the Mass, so it would not be inappropriate to have solemn patriotic music at that time. Not “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” but “God Bless America,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” or “America the Beautiful” would all seem to be valid choices.

 

[ProVobis]

I’ve heard they did this prior to Vatican II also. It wasn’t that common but the practice wasn’t discouraged either.

 

[pnewton]

This Sunday presented some interesting dilemnas. For us, it was also our graduation Mass and needed to be bilingual.

I do not see a problem with patriotism in a song, even a primarily patriotic song, as long as it is also sacred. I have no issue of those songs asking for God’s blessing. We do this all the time in Mass for a great many things. Our nation is just one more item we must pray for as a Church.

My solution this week, though, was to forgo all patriotic songs in favor of the greater importance of Corpus Christi. Similarly, I culled suggested bilingual song in favor of English hymns that where appropriate to the day. We only had two bilingual hymns.

The Church seems to have a prioritization of feasts, memorials and holy days. I think it only proper that we follow suit.

 

[drafdog]

Nationalistic or patriotic hymns are liturgically appropriate… if nationalism is your preferred form of idolatry.

Matthew

 

[pnewton]

Nationalistic or patriotic hymns are liturgically appropriate… if nationalism is your preferred form of idolatry.

Matthew

Then asking God to bless the poor is okay only if we worship the poor? If we extend a blessing to some one they are our God? Your logic escapes me.

 

[Dragoro]

We did America the beautifull at my parish. First 2 verses at begining and 2nd two verses at end. Never realized there were 4 versus or how religous that song really is. I found it totally appropriate.

 

[JuanCarlos]

Many patriotic songs in themselves are quite religious in content. Battle Hymn of the Republic.

And at the end of High Masses in England a chant/song is said for the British King/Queen. That seems to be a mixing of national interests with religious ones.

At the same time though, I would probably not allow it were I the priest because it isn’t really necessary and is more man-focused than God-focused

 

[Dragoro]

Nationalistic or patriotic hymns are liturgically appropriate… if nationalism is your preferred form of idolatry.

Matthew

Rediculous.

 

[consumedconvert]

Many patriotic songs in themselves are quite religious in content. Battle Hymn of the Republic.

And at the end of High Masses in England a chant/song is said for the British King/Queen. That seems to be a mixing of national interests with religious ones.

At the same time though, I would probably not allow it were I the priest because it isn’t really necessary and is more man-focused than God-focused

Oh, I don’t know. “God save the Queen” is also quite religious. It is a national song in the form of a prayer invoking blessing. I would think it entirely appropriate.

 

[Conservative]

While I agree that it’s okay to have - perhaps God Bless America or similar reverent hymn for such occasions, within reason, I do believe you have a major point…Feast of Corpus Christi. It’s Sunday, we’re at Mass, and our religion should be emphasized - particularly on such a Feast.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

My parish has a habit of using patriotic songs for the recessional hymn on Sundays before major national holidays. This past Sunday, as the choir sang “America the Beautiful” in honor of Memorial Day, and I thought about all of the beautiful Catholic hymns that were perhaps better suited for the Feast of Corpus Christi, I had to wonder if this practice is permitted. I’m all for honoring America’s veterans, but everything I’ve read - the Vatican II Constitution on the Liturgy, the GIRM, etc. - says that only sacred music should be employed during the Mass.

Am I correct, or am I just being a Young Fogey (extra points for those of you who catch that reference)?

On the plus side, the priest did give an excellent homily. He pointed out that whenever the Pope comes, so many people flock to see him that they have to hold Mass in a stadium. Yet when priests say that Jesus Christ, the King and Savior of the world, comes every day to their very own parish, people say, “You can’t seriously expect us to come every week.” Good food for thought.

This is pretty common at every parish in the region around here. It is a local norm around here and most people expect it and do not see anything wrong with it (I am part of that group). There has never been a complaint about it that I know of.

 

[muffinmojo]

I’m not a fan of things mentioning nations inside the church, except during the prayers of the faithful (something like ‘for our soldiers in harm’s way, our leaders that they may make Godly decisions’, etc). Church should make you feel like you are in the presence of God, not wandering about in your daily life- things should focus on God. While a certain amount of national things are okay and even good, it is easy to either become overly nationalistic or on the other side, seditious and unpatriotic. Catholic identity should be present in the Mass, not national identity.

 

[Dragoro]

Ya guys are sayin they did that on Sunday? Wow yeah that’s wrong. At my parish they celebrated Corpus Cristi on sunday. We did america the beautifull on monday. I’m shocked that they’d try and combine the two on sunday. To me that’s just wrong.

 

[AJV]

Many patriotic songs in themselves are quite religious in content. Battle Hymn of the Republic.

And at the end of High Masses in England a chant/song is said for the British King/Queen. That seems to be a mixing of national interests with religious ones.

That was (is) common to a lot of countries. “Domine salvam fac Regina nostram” - O God, save the Queen - and it retains a certain measure of God-wardness that might be lacking in other patriotic songs.

In older editions of clergy magazines in the USA, you can see references to some bishops encouraging the singing of “Domine salvam fac rempublicam nostram” (O God save the Republic) often followed by the prayer of Archbishop Carroll.

 

[AJV]

Many patriotic songs in themselves are quite religious in content. Battle Hymn of the Republic.

And at the end of High Masses in England a chant/song is said for the British King/Queen. That seems to be a mixing of national interests with religious ones.

That was (is) common to a lot of countries. “Domine salvam fac Regina nostram” - O God, save the Queen - and it retains a certain measure of God-wardness that might be lacking in other patriotic songs.

In older editions of clergy magazines in the USA, you can see references to some bishops encouraging the singing of “Domine salvam fac rempublicam nostram” (O God save the Republic) sometimes followed by the prayer of Archbishop Carroll.

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Am I correct, or am I just being a Young Fogey (extra points for those of you who catch that reference)?

Are you thinking you may be more of an Allen Watkins variety YF or Andrew Greeley variety YF?

Or just a fan of Serge or Fr. Jay Toborowsky.

There are a lot of ways to be a young fogey. I am more of an Andrew Greeley variety foge, myself.

 

[BSHoop96]

Many patriotic songs in themselves are quite religious in content. Battle Hymn of the Republic.

And at the end of High Masses in England a chant/song is said for the British King/Queen. That seems to be a mixing of national interests with religious ones.

At the same time though, I would probably not allow it were I the priest because it isn’t really necessary and is more man-focused than God-focused

I think patriotic songs, with religious content, are great in the recessional for certain times of the year. We live in a country where we are free to worship as we wish. I appreciate that and my country. The US has become so politically correct that it has almost become a negative if you express any religious and/or especially patriotic feelings.