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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

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Is it not true that prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death?”

— The Vatican’s chief liturgist from 2014-2021, Interview with Edw. Pentin (23-Sep-2019)

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