Thoughts on singing patriotic songs at mass

[EasterJoy]

Yep, I see, and agree.

I will make one comment on the alabaster cities and tears. Remember that these lyrics were first published as a poem. That is a poetic allusion to the woman with the alabaster jar, who washed the feet of Christ ( gleam) , and the washing was done with her tears of Repentance.

The phrase ‘undimmed by human tears’ is not a statement that tears are lacking, but that the tears do not dim.

So when we see those words: alabaster, gleaming (as in free of dust and dirt) and tears together, we should ask ‘what is Bates’ trying to state here, are we familiar with these themes elsewhere. She cannot be claiming that US cities have any significant quantities of alabaster in their construction, or that US residents experience no sorrow.

But as someone familiar with the Bible, those words DO bring about recollections of events

Having those themes in mind (alabaster, gleaming, tears) in the same line are a way of bringing to mind that Bible story. And while themes of stark repentance come easily to the Puritan mind, it is not unknown to the Catholic mindset either.

The alabaster jar wasn’t washed to gleaming. It was broken, wasted, sacrificed to extravagant generosity for the purpose of anointing the Lord prior to His burial. Yes, Christ’s feet were also washed with tears–an action the Lord referred to separately from the act of anointing them–but feet don’t “gleam.”

You may be right about the intentions of the author, but I’m not buying those allusions as being something that is really pulled off well in the poem. Still, as you point out, the hymn at least lionizes the self-sacrificial attitude as the attitude fitting a patriot, rather than the blatantly martial attitudes typical of a patriotic anthem, and that makes it a better candidate for singing in a sacred setting. I’m not nuts about it, but provided it is sung immediately prior to or after Mass rather than during Mass, I wouldn’t go to the trouble of lodging a complaint about it. (Except maybe on Pentecost…because it is Pentecost, for crying out loud.)

 

[pnewton]

In general I don’t have a problem with America the Beautiful. I think this last Sunday should have been reserved for Pentecost songs, however.

That is where I am at, though I defer to the priest of that parish and what he thinks is best. I can see some cases where it might be more appropriate than others.

That being said, I will use this song on July 4th, which falls in ordinary time and on a Saturday this year, probably during the offering. I will exit on God Bless America. From the Catholic Encyclopedia at New Advent:

newadvent.org/cathen/03794b.htm

That duty, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, rests on nature itself and the sanctions of religion. As nature and religion prescribe to children dutiful conduct towards the parents who brought them into the world, so nature and religion impose on citizens certain obligations towards their country and its rulers. These obligations may be reduced to those of patriotism and obedience. Patriotism requires that the citizen should have a reasonable esteem and love for his country.

 

[John_Lazarus]

…and I wish flowers on hats, pearls and gloves would come back into fashion.

I’ve been trying, but apparently they don’t suit me.

 

[judynurse]

I’m not going to get into the argument about a patriotic song, as we also have it 2 or 3 times a year, and have many disabled vets, vets and widows of vets in my Parish, and they appreciate the few times we sing America the Beautiful. My comment is to ask what is this about the flags being removed outside the narthex with the changes from the 1965 change to local languages, rather than all Latin Masses? We have just acquired both a Papal Flag and American Flag on beautiful stands, and both are antique, rescued from a storage shed, cleaned and polished to place at the rear of the Altar area in the corners. I grew up in the Latin Mass times (1940’s - 1960’s) and we always had the flags at the corners of the Altar area, or corners of the church IN THE FRONT, not outside the worship area. Is this now forbidden??? We are about to place these antiques rescued from our historic Church back in the front where they will be seen. Is this forbidden, or just not “usual practice” in some countries?

 

[retire_early]

I’ve been trying, but apparently they don’t suit me.

!

 

[SMHW]

My comment is to ask what is this about the flags being removed outside the narthex with the changes from the 1965 change to local languages, rather than all Latin Masses?

It’s not a matter of universal Church law. It’s more local practice.

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacred-art-and-music/architecture-and-environment/display-of-flags-in-catholic-churches.cfm