What do you think about patriotic songs during Mass?

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M-Dent said:
It is one I was reminded of by our Pastor (excellent bulletin article).
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I really do need to stop visiting certain sites that fan the flames of nationalism (and many times, racism). Coincidentally, the clientele of said sites are often anti-Catholic.

We also sang America the Beautiful. (According to Wiki, the original poem is slightly different than the modern form.)
 
pianistclare said:
On the short list from my previous Pastors:
The Church’s One Foundation nope
Amazing Grace nope
Lord of the Dance nope (lol)
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That’s interesting. I know some people find “Amazing Grace” too Protestant, although I’ve heard it at Mass, but I never thought there was anything wrong with “The Church’s One Foundation”, which popped up regularly at the parish where I grew up.

“Lord of the Dance” seems to be a favorite with the college music group at the local Newman Center. The title made me LOL too. I expected to see Michael Flatley.
 
i’m a veteran & to be honest, i don’t like hearing these types of “patriotic songs” at mass

i’d rather sing, or at least listen to marian hymns
 
My Parish has always sung either God Bless America, America the Beautiful or the National Anthem as a recessional song for the July 4th holiday. In my Parish,The Battle Hymn of the Republic is always song as a recessional song at a Veterans funeral Mass.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
That’s interesting. I know some people find “Amazing Grace” too Protestant, although I’ve heard it at Mass, but I never thought there was anything wrong with “The Church’s One Foundation”, which popped up regularly at the parish where I grew up.

“Lord of the Dance” seems to be a favorite with the college music group at the local Newman Center. The title made me LOL too. I expected to see Michael Flatley.
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I definitely think Amazing Grace is too Protestant. Theology aside, it’s definitely incredibly overrated and overplayed.

Lord of the Dance, blah.
 
EIF5A said:
I really do need to stop visiting certain sites that fan the flames of nationalism (and many times, racism). Coincidentally, the clientele of said sites are often anti-Catholic.

We also sang America the Beautiful. (According to Wiki, the original poem is slightly different than the modern form.)
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Yes, Katharine Lee Bates did add a verse or two, and made some changes to her first version. But the text we use today in the song uses the words she officially sanctioned as THE four verses of the song.

Well, they’re her lyrics after all. I suppose she could do with them whatever she liked. 😃
 
After our closing hymn, the organist played God bless America. A lot of people that were on their way out stopped, and though no one was leading it, many of us started singing along. It was very spontaneous. And lovely. 🙂
 
If there’s an Angel of Portugal, there must be an Angel of the USA…no?
 
Gertabelle said:
The lovely old folks who sing at one mass have a patriotic medley that they love to sing at Thanksgiving and Fourth of July. To be honest, I can’t remember if they sang it as a prelude, or as a communion hymn. I know our new pastor would NEVER allow them to sing this during mass nowadays.

But these folks are the most faithful and loving servants I have ever met in a parish. If they do err, I know it is not through any malice on their part.
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pianistclare said:
Yeah, but that’s still a Music Director call.
Whenever there is a change of command, a good Director meets with his or her boss and inquires as to preferences, and do’s and don’ts.
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The director of that choir IS our music director. 🤷 Well, sort of.

She’s been involved in music ministry at the parish for 42 years. Some pastor a way long time ago asked her to volunteer to be a sort of liaison for everyone singing at all the Sunday masses. So she’s been the volunteer Music Director ever since.

She’s good about checking with our pastor regarding his preferences. But this group does some things because they’re always done those things. And until and unless our pastor speaks up, they might not even think about there being a problem with some of their traditions. :o
 
I think patriotic songs are fine for recessional hymn.
During the mass, I think something like “Faith of Our Fathers” is better.

If it is a mass for a special occasion like a veteran’s mass, I don’t mind the patriotic music.

I think what takes away from mass more is everyone talking before mass begins. Sometimes this is even encouraged. I prefer silence which is more reverent and allows time for silent prayer.

I remember back in the day, the churches near me used to have the American flag and the Catholic flag side by side on the altar. I don’t recall seeing this anymore.
 
For once I agree with Fr. Martin. I prefer no patriotic or nationalistic songs. What should disturb people is how much more devotion these songs will often elicit from people.
Tim_D said:
One time at my church they played the Battle Hymn of the Republic during the recessional. The first thing I thought, being in south Louisiana, was “*that’s a dab-burn-no-good yankee song.” * That was a very odd choice.
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Not only that but it is terrible theology. The worst part is the line about the Gospel being writ by rifles. Convert or die… sounds more like another religion.
 
No

A mass isn’t oriented to a particular nation. Citizens of nations in conflict could attend it at the same time. We should not be placed in the position to decide if it is appropriate. Organizers should not be expected to decide if two anthems would be appropriate for diplomatic protocol. It is not an Olympic match.

I’ve always felt uncomfortable about this practice. Never seen so many diverting eyes checking for the audacious ones in the congregation who were not quite patriotic. The front door opening is watched carefully.
 
Considering what a mess our world is and considering the many freedoms we have
in our country, why not sing a patriotic song near the day we celebrate the birth of
our country. We work hard to make America the country it is, we pray for our government leaders during Mass, I pray for our country when I pray the Rosary, so I
don’t see anything wrong singing a patriotic song as a recessional hymn around the
4th of July. I pray God will continue to bless our country and watch over us.
 
ctb95 said:
I definitely think Amazing Grace is too Protestant. Theology aside, it’s definitely incredibly overrated and overplayed.

Lord of the Dance, blah.
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Yeah. The Monsignor I worked for said the theology of Amazing Grace is way off. He said it was a lovely tune, instrumentally, but singing it gives the wrong message.
The Church’s One Foundation was allegedly written as a argument against the Papacy: the Pope doesn’t rule the Church on earth, God does.
Lord of the Dance, my one pastor said the lyrics were just “daft”. 😃
 
pianistclare said:
Yeah. The Monsignor I worked for said the theology of Amazing Grace is way off. He said it was a lovely tune, instrumentally, but singing it gives the wrong message.
The Church’s One Foundation was allegedly written as a argument against the Papacy: the Pope doesn’t rule the Church on earth, God does.
Lord of the Dance, my one pastor said the lyrics were just “daft”. 😃
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…what was wrong with the theology of Amazing Grace?

(I got shocked after singing Lord of the Dance for the first time. not just the lyrics, but reminded me of hindu deity with unfortunately that same title.)
 
EIF5A said:
…what was wrong with the theology of Amazing Grace?

(I got shocked after singing Lord of the Dance for the first time. not just the lyrics, but reminded me of hindu deity with unfortunately that same title.)
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We’re not saved by grace. That’s not a Catholic notion.
 
M-Dent said:
…
Quote:
"Love your own country: it is a Christian virtue to be patriotic. But if patriotism becomes nationalism, which leads you to look at other people, at other countries, with indifference, with scorn, without Christian charity and justice, then it is a sin.”

St. Josemaria Escriva…
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Nothing changes patriotism into nationalism faster than bullets spraying over your foxhole. :stretcher:
Tim_D said:
One time at my church they played the Battle Hymn of the Republic during the recessional. The first thing I thought, being in south Louisiana, was “*that’s a dab-burn-no-good yankee song.” * That was a very odd choice.
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heh. I thought that was rather a nice “ecumenical” gesture - Norther-ly/Souther-ly speaking, of course… 😃
 
Patriotic songs are only sung at the recessional my Church. I love it.
 
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