Flag During Consecration

[YoungTradCath]

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

Why? It is still a secular flag.

This is true. It is the flag of a temporal kingdom.

[Hoernchen]

I've been to masses where flags were present. Not national flags, but rather flags of semi catholic societies, like students or scouts.
Those flags were always held by someone throughout the mass and at the consecration they were lowered in respect, not waved!

[ConstantineTG]

Originally Posted by YoungTradCath

This is true. It is the flag of a temporal kingdom.

Definitely. While the Vatican is the country run by the Pope, it is not the Kingdom of God. Nor it is meant to be a representation of it. I believe that the only purpose of the Vatican is so that the Pope is not ruled by and influenced by any secular ruler. We've learned from our mistakes in the past. Also given the current state of secularization in Europe, it does help that the seat of the Pope is not subject to secular laws. Imagine if St. Peter's Basilica is in the US today. The Pope would be subjected to the HHS.

To see how complicated a Church is subject to a secular ruler, just look at the hardship of the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox under Turkish rule. They can't even elect a Patriarch who is not a Turkish citizen to occupy the seat at Constantinople. And given that the country is mostly Muslim, it is even a harder task to find a celibate Orthodox male called to the episcopate to even be considered for the position.

[VeritasLuxMea]

Originally Posted by Cat

You don't say what city/state you're from. If you are from a city with a large military base, it's possible that the parishes have developed certain unique local traditions that are allowed because they serve so many military families.

No, but the poster did say he/she wasn't from the United States.

The poster said it was ANZAC day, so I guess Australia or New Zealand.

[superamazingman]

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

Why? It is still a secular flag.

Well, kind of...not saying I liked it, but it is better than waving the american flag.

[curlycool89]

Originally Posted by Cowra_Dude

The Mass was for ANZAC Day, and the holiday includes the military from all the wars.

That's a pretty important day, equal to our Remembrance Day here in Canada. I don't know all the details, but here in Canada in terms of secular holidays it is the one that I would say is given the highest solemnity.

[JharekCarnelian]

Originally Posted by curlycool89

That's a pretty important day, equal to our Remembrance Day here in Canada. I don't know all the details, but here in Canada in terms of secular holidays it is the one that I would say is given the highest solemnity.

Easter Monday is one of the most important religious holidays in Ireland and also the most important secular holiday from a patriotic view. But I'd be highly upset to see someone waving an Irish flag next to the altar during consecration.

[constantconvert]

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

That would be putting it very lightly.

In our own parish our priest has asked that the secular flags (flag of Canada, flag of Ukraine) be placed at the back of the nave and not close to the banners of Christ, the Theotokos and the saints.

Absolutely.

[ConstantineTG]

Originally Posted by superamazingman

Well, kind of...not saying I liked it, but it is better than waving the american flag.

I don't see it as a better alternative. A secular flag is a secular flag. The flag of the Vatican is the flag of an earthly state.

[Godric2]

Are there any places which wave a flag at the consecration - not a secular flag but say a gold flag at the elevations as bells sound?

I know some places use drums rather than bells.

Godric

20+C+M+B+13

[superamazingman]

St. John Cantious does sometimes