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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Should We Sing Patriotic Hymns at Mass?

Richard J. Clark · July 4, 2014

S AMERICANS CELEBRATE Independence Day today, I am mindful that our audience and contributors are international; there are patriotic songs that may evoke God from many countries. As an American, I can speak to our circumstance, but I will not claim to speak for others around the globe. That being said, I suspect that there are some common problems we all face.

The question of patriotic or nationalistic songs at mass is a part of a wider problem of “planning” mass according to 1 • personal preferences and 2 • what I call, “Missa de Hallmark Card”: secular and civic holidays influencing music, homilies, or other aspects of the mass.

O, I HAVE SOME PERSONAL PREFERENCES regarding American patriotic songs. I love them. I get misty-eyed at singing “America the Beautiful.” It sounds great on the organ. People sing at the top of their lungs. I get emotional. However, ideally, patriotic songs have no place whatsoever during mass. The reason is simple: sacred music for the liturgy serves one function and patriotic songs another. It is comparing apples and oranges. Nor does one diminish the other. Patriotic songs have a different milieu and serve a different purpose, even if God is mentioned.

Consider this coming Sunday, the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Matthew’s Gospel speaks of God’s consolation. Furthermore, even Jesus gives praise to His Father, so, should not we? “Matthew 11:25: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth…” The mass is full of praise for God. As such, the propers are fitting. This Sunday, my choir will sing a hymn version of the Introit, and my setting of the communion proper, (Gustate et videte) “Taste and See that the Lord Is Good.” When immersed into the readings and the propers, it feels out of place to put country — no matter how great our love for it — at the center of the Eucharistic Feast. Likewise, it would be incredibly odd and inconsiderate to sing a Marian Hymn at a Fourth of July Parade. Both are wonderful. Neither appropriate in the given context.

Also, the more we understand in our hearts the marriage of liturgical action and sacred music, the less patriotic hymns during mass make any sense. Vatican II reaffirmed the unique function of music within the sacred liturgy:

“Therefore sacred music is to be considered the more holy in proportion as it is more closely connected with the liturgical action…” (Sacrosanctum Concillium § 112)

HICH LITURGICAL ACTION would God Bless America or America the Beautiful connect with the best? Entrance Procession? (perhaps during the incensing of the altar?) Offertory? Communion Procession? In these terms, I find it difficult to reconcile the texts – although composed with dignity and embedded in our country’s religious roots – with these particular liturgical actions, where Christ’s redeeming sacrifice for all is central. Furthermore, patriotic songs during mass would exist purely for their own sake, which is antithesis of the function of sacred music, which is to help us sing the texts of the mass itself.

Finally, I am mindful that this is a complex subject that evokes great emotion of very varying types. If one must sing a song of country at mass, (which I have done, and will likely do when Independence Day falls on a Sunday) the only possible consideration would be after the Final Blessing and Dismissal. Officially, the mass is over. Never, never, would one consider singing a patriotic hymn anywhere else, e.g., Offertory or post-communion. In light of accompanying the liturgical action, Patriotic hymns suddenly feel like a Salve Regina during at a Memorial Day Parade.

ADDENDUM

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT of my liturgical position: I am deeply interested in politics and history. I particularly enjoy reading books on American History regardless of political party. Among my favorites include Garry Wills’ Lincoln at Gettysburg and Wills’ book on Washington, Cincinatus, which describes Washington’s “abdication” of power after two terms which inspired poetry, paintings, sculpture, and music. However, do not mistake my interest in history or love of country as “conservative” or “liberal.” It is neither. I am in agreement and disagreement with both American political parties (not unlike the American Bishops and various Popes on a number of topics). Politics can be divisive. The Eucharist is Universal.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: liturgical action Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“We must strip from our Catholic prayers and from the Catholic liturgy everything which can be the shadow of a stumbling block for our separated brethren—that is, for the Protestants.”

— Monsignor Annibale Bugnini (March, 1965) in L’Osservatore Romano

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