TCP#109: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sunday Mass Video)
Sunday Mass of Anticipation of the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Recorded at Saint Patrick Church in Pana, IL.
Peace,
Fr. Bill Kessler
3 Responses to “TCP#109: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sunday Mass Video)”
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Question: is it normal to display the national flag (American flag) on the sanctuary like that? I’m just VERY surprised to see it. Never have seen that before!
I believe most every Catholic parish I’ve ever belonged to displayed the American flag. The Papal flag is usually displayed opposite of the American flag. Neither are required, but are permissable as determined by individual communities. When I pray, I am certainly not praying to the flag, but am made mindful that America gives me the freedom to worship as the Catholic I am. If you notice, the flag is actually tucked back next to a column and would not be as prominent if we were actually in the congregation attending Mass. Quite often the flags may be on side altars, away from our normal line of sight.
@Inge: This is something I wondered about for a long time, too. It seems to be quite common in the U.S. I understand it, though, because the flag seems to be everywhere in the U.S.
I discovered an article by Msgr. Thomas Welbers from the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission of Los Angeles on this matter. I quote an excerpt:
“We have to look carefully both at our experience as American Catholics and at the principles behind our documents. Then we can determine when and where the display of our flag is appropriate.
The custom of displaying a national flag in church is uncommon outside the United States and has its origins here about 150 years ago in an effort to counter the rampant and often violent anti-Catholicism that raged throughout our country.
(…)
We come to worship as Americans, justifiably proud of our American heritage and identity. But our focus at Mass is not on Americanism; it is on our union with Christ as his faithful disciples, a reality that transcends both national boundaries and national interests.
(…)
In addition to liturgical principles, the U.S. Flag Code itself suggests the inappropriateness of the American flag in our churches. Section 175k states: ‘When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, (…)’
Such prominence is impossible by the very nature of our worship. And to tuck our nation’s flag away in a secondary place would not give it proper respect.”
Source: http://www.the-tidings.com/2009/062609/litflag.htm
It is a very good read displaying the pros and cons of displaying the flag.
Might be interesting to learn more about this on the podcast, if possible.