A reader writes...

At several parishes in my area, on national holidays such as Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, Independence Day, and Memorial Day, patriotic hymns such as America The Beautiful, God Bless America, and Battle Hymn of the Republic are part of the songs for Mass. We also have the American flag alongside the Vatican flag in the sanctuary of many churches and several churches fly the American and Vatican flag from a flagpole outside.
I get very uncomfortable when these things happen, especially singing patriotic songs during the Mass because I feel this is an inappropriate intrusion of nationalism into the Mass, and, since the Church is universal, I feel it fosters division in the Church. I also feel all of these things are unacceptable intrusions of the secular into the sacred. It is one thing to be proud of one's country, but since the Church is universal and Christ comes before Caesar, I think intrusions of Caesar into the Mass are inappropriate.
What are your thoughts on these phenomena? Are patriotic hymns and American flags on church premises, even the sanctuary, appropriate? Why or why not? I'd appreciate your insights on this, and any helpful resources on this, that you could provide. Many "conservative" Catholic friends see no problems with this, but I cringe whenever these things happen.
Many thanks for your assistance with these matters.

I have no particular problem with this sort of thing on the appropriate secular feast day like the Fourth of July or Anzac Day or whatever. Patriotism is simply "love your neighbor" extended to the border. I think that's perfectly legitimate (as long as you don't use it as an excuse for hating your neighbor beyond the border). Loving your country is loving your family.

Of course, nationalism, which often masquerades as patriotism is not loving your country. Nationalism is to a nation as pride is to a person. It is a diabolical parody of love.

That said, I don't think an American flag in the sanctuary is appropriate as a normal feature (though I can see one on, say, Memorial Day or the Fourth. Your mileage may vary.