The Patriot

Father Kolbe, as a novice in the seminary, determined to leave the Franciscan Order and serve the Polish army. Divine Providence led him to remain in the seminary. After his novitiate he initially asked to remain in Poland, and not to be immersed in Italy's foreign culture. Divine Providence moved his heart, however, and he recanted his request. 

He was tenaciously attached to his home and country, and yet he grew to be a great missionary and lover of the children of God - Italian, Japanese, German - it didn't matter. The different ways of living could be adapted, the language learned, and the people always loved. Suffering, charity, a deep life of prayer, and an obedient heart had moved him from potential nationalism to a fruitful patriotism. 

A nationalist is strongly attached to his country through love and pride, with the belief that it is exulted above all other nations.* Patriotism, on the other hand, is love and devotion to one's country, because it is your "fatherland." Patriotism is linked to the fourth commandment. 

It illuminates other relationships in society (not just parent to child). In our brothers and sisters we see the children of our parents; in our cousins, the descendants of our ancestors; in our fellow citizens, the children of our country; in the baptized, the children of our mother the Church; in every human person, a son or daughter of the One who wants to be called “our Father.  (2212)*

Patriotism is hard to define, because the definition of country and love are not always so clear. In the case of Father Kolbe - what was his country? He knew it, though history gave it no boundary. After all, we do not love our borders, we love who we are.... 

How to be sure that our patriotism is truly virtuous and not merely nationalism? 

First of all, a virtuous patriotism increases our love of every human person. 

Secondly, a virtuous patriotism impels us to good citizenship - including care for the common good. 

Third, a virtuous patriotism is not blind to the errors and defects of ones country - anymore than a son or daughter is blind to the imperfections of his/her parents - but out of love and devotion seeks to strengthen and better the country. 

Finally, a virtuous patriotism serves ones country devotedly. 

Virtuous patriotism, like obedience and love of one's family, is fundamental to a flourishing, rightly ordered society. Let us, then, pray to Our Father in heaven to protect and improve, strengthen and convert, our homeland, while giving to us virtuously patriotic hearts! 

"Nationalism." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 29 June 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalism>.

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm#