In July of 1976, I was a child reveling in our countryโs bicentennial celebrations. Garage doors painted with scenes of fife and drum corps, red, white, and blue โbomb pops,โ and extra special fireworks displays demonstrated a level of joy and optimism that we had not experienced for a long time. We were recovering from the Vietnam War, societal unrest, and the great loss of faith in authority that was the Watergate scandal and our then-presidentโs resignation. But the summer of โ76 offered something different: pure, unbridled celebration of the gift of 200 years of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Fifty years later, our country is living through a time of even greater unrest and disillusionment. Wars and rumors of wars, scandals in every institution, and an ever-widening ideological chasm among the populace all cause pessimism as to what our children might experience in another fifty years, when our nation turns 300.
The Virtue of Patriotism
The virtue of justice can be succinctly described as right relationship. Justice towards God is called religion; justice toward neighbor is called charity; and justice toward homeland is called patriotism:
It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. The love and service of oneโs country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community. (CCC, par. 2239)
As with any virtue, some are more naturally endowed with patriotism, and others less. But all of us are called to practice it, that is, work at it and grow in it, throughout our lives for the glory of God.
The Three Pieties
The virtue of patriotism is also defined as piety towards oneโs homeland. It is the third of three forms of piety, or expressed loveโof God, neighbor, and finally, country. The order is important. Placing love of country, or of anything else, before love of God is idolatry.
True patriotism, therefore, is not compatible with nationalism, which places love of country above love of God and neighbor. Love in the correct order serves country out of love for God and of neighbor, never violating the higher requirements of religion and charity. In gratitude for the gift of homeland, a patriot uses his gifts and talents for the glory of God, the good of neighbor, and the thriving of country.
American Catholics
Since long before our nationโs founding, there have been loyal Catholics serving the country in extraordinary and ordinary ways.
The famous Carroll cousins of MarylandโCharles being the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence and staunch advocate of religious freedom, and John who was appointed the first Catholic bishop in the newly formed diocese of Baltimoreโshowed that it was possible to be both Catholic and loyal Americans.
St. Frances Cabrini, Italian foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, served our countryโs poorest of the poor, leaving her own homeland behind to become an American.
There are many such examples of American heroes of the Faith. There are also millions of unheralded American Catholics who lived their lives in ways that impacted this country for the better.
We stand on the shoulders of giants. Each era has called for different saints. From the early days of persecution and privation, to building the countryโs infrastructure, to the five Sullivans brothers of World War II and over 100,000 American Catholics who died in that war, to the Civil Rights movement, to Nellie Gray and the battle for life, American Catholics have responded to this countryโs needs as people of faith first, giving their blood, sweat, tears, and often their lives, for God and country.
An Examination of Conscience
As our nation celebrates its quarter-millennium, consider the pious offering of examining your practice of patriotism:
Am I informed? Do I learn about important issues from reliable, non-partisan sources so that I can vote well and be a good citizen?
Do I contribute to the common good? Are my gifts and talents being used for the good of my greater community?
Do I respect authority? Do I honor and obey laws and authorities, provided they do not violate the natural moral law?
How do I treat my neighbors? Do I see my fellow citizens as deserving of my care and concern according to the virtue of justice and act accordingly?
Do I recognize the evils of my country? Have I excused my countryโs evils because they are part of law or culture? Do I pray and do whatever else God leads me to do to counter the effects of those evils?
Do I desire the true flourishing of my nation? Do I pray for my country and its leaders without regard for my own political affiliations or preferences?
Is my criticism constructive? Is my dissent voiced out of desire for justice, peace, and understanding, or do I defend my ideological position based on earthly values?
Do I allow love of country to breed hatred toward others? Do I have a disordered love for my nation that reveals a sense of superiority, prejudice, or xenophobia?
Do I love country above God? Has my love for country become disordered, even idolatrous, allowing ideology and politics to take the rightful place of my Catholic faith and of universal charity?
We all have work to do in every virtue. Examining our consciences about patriotism will aid us in becoming better Catholics, better Americans, and better people. The world will benefit as the American experiment continues and flourishes, and our practice of patriotism can help.
What is God Inviting You to Do?
โAsk not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.โ โ President John F. Kennedy
Following this examination of conscience, spend a little time in prayer asking God how you might exercise the virtue of patriotism in thanksgiving for your country. It might be as simple as being kinder in the comment sections or as complex as running for political office. Take the first step, knowing those giants whose shoulders you stand on are praying for you.
St. Pier Giorgio, Pray for Us
In his testimony on then-Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the young Italian who exemplified the correct ordering and vital living of the three pieties, Bishop Martin Stanislaus Gillet, OP, said:
โฆ(with) fervor he loved his country which he considered an extension of his family and the Church as an expansion of his homeland into the spiritual world. These affections were not in conflict within his heart, but harmonized and strengthened each other.
We too can live this harmony of pieties, strengthening our virtue with virtue, our love with love. May our practice of the virtue of patriotism help lead to this nationโs best and brightest future according to Godโs holy will. May our children experience a joyful celebration of the tricentennial as we continue to work for true peace and true justice for all.
Photo by Bryce Krohnfeldt on Unsplash
