Can patriotism without faith save the Homeland?

True national spirit - as the Spanish Carlists said, "first I am a Catholic, then a Spaniard." They do not deny Lithuanianness, on the contrary - to paraphrase their other words: the true greatness of Lithuanianness lies in the Catholic tradition of that nation's country, in its preservation and manifestation. Nationalism cannot be separate from Christ, from loving His truth and publicly declaring it.

Here one can quote Dr. Plinio Correa de Oliveira, who in his book "Revolution and Counter-Revolution" describes what true civilization is:

"...Catholic culture and civilization are the true culture and the true civilization. It must be noted that they cannot exist in non-Catholic nations. Although man can, by his own knowledge, acknowledge the natural laws, yet without the authority of the Church he cannot fully and perpetually retain that knowledge. Therefore, the man who does not profess the true religion cannot practice all of God's commandments. Under such conditions, since without knowledge and observance of God's laws Christian order cannot exist, true civilization and culture are possible only within the family of believers of the Holy Church. As St. Pius X said, civilization is truer, more enduring, and more fruitful the more deeply Christian it is. And the further it departs from Christian ideals, the more decadent it becomes, to the great misfortune of society. Thus, according to the logic of the nature of things, the Church becomes the guardian and defender of Christian civilization."

Unfortunately, the figures of the 20th-century Lithuanian state revival built it not on Catholic but on Masonic foundations (as all states today), embellished with pagan legends. The interwar governments tolerated the Catholic faith but did not sincerely support it. Some contemporary national patriots act similarly, hiding their Catholicism. Catholics should not act this way, and public prayer should encourage those "lukewarm Catholics" to join.

I would like to draw attention to another important aspect arising from the modern erroneous view that religion should be separated from secular matters and that all religions are equal.

According to classical theology, the freedom of the Catholic religion is higher than the state or social order. Classical theology knows no "autonomy" in human life. There is no individual or institution that can exist without Christ: "Human society can be healed only by returning to Christian life and institutions" (Leo XIII, encyclical Rerum novarum). "It is a dogma of the Catholic faith that Christ has legislative, judicial, and governing power over all men and states" (Pius XI, Quas primas). The whole world has a single "center of gravity" - Christ the King, to whom everything must be subject.

One of the modernist errors is placing all faiths on the same level. The Catholic faith is the only true faith and, unlike other natural faiths (which can only be tolerated), cannot be treated like others. And the public profession of the Catholic faith is most appropriate within the framework of social or state holidays.

Another question concerns public prayer. Why are public prayers necessary? Although in our times many sins are committed publicly, whether abortions, divorces, or the sin of sodomy, etc., in order to reduce the punishment that will undoubtedly be inflicted on the entire Lithuanian nation (as well as other nations) for these sins, it is necessary to make reparation for such sins publicly. For example, the Day of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania is a suitable date and place to make reparation for the sins committed in our Homeland. Also for the good of our Homeland. Unfortunately, this year on this day, in this procession, we did not notice any expression of the Catholic faith.

Exactly, yes, and we must act by combining faith with national and patriotic feelings and by showing this faith publicly, honoring Christ the King and making reparation for the countless multitude of sins committed publicly today. Only in this way can we defend the good name of Lithuania in the eyes of God. I hope that it will again become Holy Lithuania, and may the Most Holy Virgin Mary help us!