Pope Benedict: God Bless America
As Jaybird previously mentioned, Pope Benedict is currently in Washington, DC, and is receiving a warm greeting from the U.S. government, and everyday citizens who have shown up to greet him. At the south lawn of the White House, the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Pope Benedict…TWICE! President Bush welcomed the pope, and the pope’s message for America. The pope seemed happy to be in the U.S., and at one point exclaimed “God Bless America.” Benedict XVI said that he was looking forward to meeting a “great people and a great church.” The pope also said: “I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the church in the United States and strengthens the resolve of Catholics to contribute even more responsibly to the life of this nation of which they are proud to be citizens.” Read the article for more details. A video of the pope’s speech at the White House is available here (I will try to embed this later).
It is good to have the pope in the U.S. I look forward to what he has to say about our nation and the American church, including praise and possible concerns. This is a great time to be a Catholic in the U.S.
David Bennett
Jennifer
asimplesinner
Fr. J.
Chad Toney
Jorge Flores
Jonathan B
carmelbennett
nicenehobbit
Jason S
jaybird68
papaz
April 16, 2008 at 1:17 pm
This reminds me of something that sticks in my craw way too often. Many people get upset by the phrase “God bless America” because they think it is presumptive, elitist, etc. That were are assuming God loves the US more than other countries, we have a divine right…
Well, for the most part, these folks are ignorant of the grammar behind the phrase, which I learned in High School German (vielen Dank, Herr Mendriski).
“God bless America” uses the subjunctive verb form, rarely used in modern American English, which expresses your hopes and desires. It’s not any resembling a certain pronouncement of fact. It is basically shorthand for “May God bless America”.
Other examples: Long live the King! Heaven forbid!
/End pedantic rant
April 16, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Grammar TMI Warning: http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-subjunctive.htm
April 16, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Exactly Chad. Maybe it is because I am familiar with the subjunctive through Latin, Greek, and Spanish, but I don’t take “God bless America” as an affirmation of “hey, we’re great,” but as you describe, a wish that God bless us.
April 16, 2008 at 2:36 pm
It is wonderful to have the Holy Father here. I only wish I were fortunate enough to see him in person. Having only been Catholic for a year now, this is all new and exciting to me!
April 16, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I’m no linguist, but I’ve sung the song, so I thought it was a request and had no idea it was controversial!
April 16, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Don’t tell me someone was honked off because our Holy Father wished a blessing on America? Oh well…always a few nuts, don’t let ‘em worry you. I agree with the Pope…May God bless America.
We watched the Papal Vespers from the basilica. Incredibly beautiful! OK, the rest of America…that’s what liturgical action is SUPPOSED to look and SOUND like. All right? NO MORE HAUGEN MUSIC! LOL
April 18, 2008 at 12:17 pm
How about contrasting Pope Benedict’s “God Bless America!” with Reverend Wright’s “G-D America!”?
April 20, 2008 at 8:04 pm
In light of all the fawning over Pope Benedict XVI, I would like to remind everyone exactly how this pope feels about the sexual abuse of children and those who do the abusing: In 2001, while he was a cardinal, he issued a secret Vatican edict to Catholic bishops all over the world, instructing them to put the Church’s interests ahead of child safety.
http://lavrai.com/blogs/2008/04/20/pope-led-cover-up-of-child-abuse-by-priests/
April 24, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Actually the “edict” was a letter reminding the recipients of Cdl Ottaviani’s Crimen Sollicitationis and the confidentiality requirements set therein. Whether you think CS was a “cover up” or not, that’s where the debate lies.