Hudson & Fournier: Catholic Countdown to Election Day 2012, Election Day. The Return of Patriotism

By Deal W Hudson and Keith A Fournier
11/6/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

A majority of Americans want to reclaim pride in their nation, its legacy of freedom, and the central role that religious faith played in the Founding and growth towards the globe's moral, political, and economic leadership.

This surge of pride -- pride in the best sense -- could be seen and felt last night at a Mass for Religious Liberty in Wexford, PA, at Saints John and Paul Parish. Over 1,000 Catholics attended this specially schedule Mass on a chilly, pre-election evening to pray for what the pastor, Rev. Joseph McCaffrey, called "a return to the principles of the American Founding" and, in particular, a defense of religious liberty.

This surge of pride -- pride in the best sense -- could be seen and felt last night at a Mass for Religious Liberty in Wexford, PA, at Saints John and Paul Parish

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WEXFORD, PA (Catholic Online) - We have watched it grow steadily over the past few months -- a campaign that began with anxiety has blossomed into a celebration of our nation's core values. In short, the events of one candidate espousing class warfare and resentment have dwindled in size and enthusiasm, while the candidate promising a return of American optimism and opportunity has watched his crowds quadruple and the cheering become deafening.

This liturgy, celebrated in a beautiful new church dedicated two years ago, was one of the most powerful this writer has witnessed in over twenty years. The readings, including the Genesis account of the Fall, the homily, and the music were not only perfectly chosen but resoundingly delivered. After all stanzas of the final hymn, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," were sung, everyone present broke into spontaneous and sustained applause.

What were they clapping for? To thank "Father Mac" for celebrating a beautiful and touching liturgy? Yes, in part. For the chance to sing throatily a great patriotic hymn that we so rarely hear in our churches anymore? Yes, in part. Most of all, they were clapping for the opportunity the parish had given them, with this special pre-election Mass, to say by their presence, we believe that God is watching over our nation, and we are joining together to watch and pray that Americans will vote to recover and reclaim their constitutional and spiritual roots.

At the end of the Mass, before the final prayer, Father McCaffrey reminded everyone, "Regardless of who wins tomorrow night, we shall still be here, as the Church, and we, as Americans, will still have our religious liberty because it is OURS."

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Catholic Vote, Catholic Social Doctrine, pro-Life, pro-Family, pro-Freedom, faithful citizenship, Catholic Action, catholic politics, Romney, Ryan, Obama, Biden, Campaign 2012, Patriotism, Saints John and Peter Parish, Rev. Joseph McCaffrey, Deal W Hudson,

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1 - 6 of 6 Comments

Sherry Eastwood-Falls
6 months ago
Thank you for this article and, even after the fact, we can still say "God Bless America" and mean it!
JoAnn
6 months ago
Edju: Could you be more specific. That is quite an accusation. How so? God bless.
Rosalie
6 months ago
We are in deep trouble now, brothers and sisters. God help the this country to make it out alive in four years. Our religious rights are going to be stripped from us, and the unheard cry of slaughtered pre-born children will go unhindered unless the faithful take a stand. Brace yourselves, socialism and communism is coming.
Starzec
6 months ago
"Regardless of who wins tomorrow night, we shall still be here, as the Church, and we, as Americans, will still have our religious liberty because it is OURS."
YES IT IS because thankfully we do NOT live in a theocracy. We live in a country where the government is forbidden to force any religion and any religious tenent on the people without their consent. That means those who seek and whose religious beliefs permit abortions are allowed to have them. That means gay couples who seek and whose religious beliefs permit marriage are allowed to be married. That means Muslims, Buddhists, Roman Catholics and the much maligned "Cafeteria Catholics" are allowed to worship in the manner of their choosing. It means that the government, whether local, county, state or federal CANNOT force anyone into believing otherwise.
But something here scares me. "a return to the principles of the American Founding". Does he mean where the landed gentry are the only ones who can vote? The American Founding saw women as being second class and without the right to vote: is that what he wants? Does he want a return to belief that the citizenry is uneducated and cannot be trusted to select their Senate and the President? (Yes History majors, the US Senate has only been directly elected for 100 years now -17th Amendment to the Constitution; probably another 100 before we get to directly elect the President.) If he meant the basic concepts of liberty and justice for all and pursuit of happiness, then great. But, if he meant a return to the limiting of voters and being biased against non-land owners, women and non-whites and Catholics (not very welcome in Early America) then I must object.
Edju
6 months ago
It's a very thin line between "patriotism" and idolatry, and this site is skirting it pretty closely.
Kasoy
6 months ago
May God bless America!

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