One of my readers sent me this video he created. I went to a Maronite Divine Liturgy once and it was quite beautiful. Just hearing the liturgy in Aramaic is quite cool. The Maronites also have always been in union with the Pope.
It is “Maronite.” We’ve found a warm community of faith and a distinct lack of heterodoxy in the local Maronite Church. Although they followed the Lebanese immigrants here our church is easily 2/3 Roman Rite Catholic. They have a beautiful tradition that grew out of Antioch. As Aboona (“our father”)is fond of saying, “Saint Peter came to Antioch and was praised and welcomed, he went to Rome and they killed him.” 😉
The Maronite Liturgy has the reverence and mystical beauty that we can’t find with rare exception in our home Roman Rite. The Consecration (or Institution Narrative as the Maronites call it) is sung in Assyriac, the closest language we know of to what Jesus spoke, and it sends electric chills down your spine. We also love Intinction, no Eucharist in the hand.
The Eastern Rites have some amazing and beautiful traditions that many Catholics should try and experience at least once.
I was privileged to visit Lebanon in Feb. 2006. We were on pilgrimage with a Maronite priest/monk from London. It was a truly rewarding experience, and the integration of religion with daily life was inspiring. Also, being in a Holy land which was evangelized by Christ and has stayed faithful, was amazing. Doubly impressive, considering that they have been perpetually invaded and persecuted .
When I lived in Austin, TX there was a Maronite Catholic church.During the Father’s teaching a discussion began on the readings. I wondered did the early Christians discuss the Aposles’ letters before Mass?
Didn’t understand a word that was sung but boy was that a treat for the ears! Can you ask your friend if the music to that video is available for purchase on CD or download? That’s something I would definitely buy.
Although I was confirmed Roman Rite, I have attended Maronite (and Melkite) Masses whenever possible and use the Maronite Divine Office for private prayer. I just got back from Austin, Texas and attending Mass at Our Lady’s Maronite Church there was THE highlight of the trip!
I will be trying to find other Maronites now in my area of the Northwest and hopefully, with God’s help, we can at least work towards a mission here. While things ARE improving in the Roman Rite parishes, things are still NOT GOOD. However, among the Eastern Rites, I find orthodox teaching, a seriousness about the Faith, and reverent Liturgies that make it clear that Our Lord Jesus IS present in the Sacrament.
8 comments
Thomps-
Can’t vouch for all of it, but at least large chunks were in Latin…
proper spelling i think is “maronite”
It is “Maronite.” We’ve found a warm community of faith and a distinct lack of heterodoxy in the local Maronite Church. Although they followed the Lebanese immigrants here our church is easily 2/3 Roman Rite Catholic. They have a beautiful tradition that grew out of Antioch. As Aboona (“our father”)is fond of saying, “Saint Peter came to Antioch and was praised and welcomed, he went to Rome and they killed him.” 😉
The Maronite Liturgy has the reverence and mystical beauty that we can’t find with rare exception in our home Roman Rite. The Consecration (or Institution Narrative as the Maronites call it) is sung in Assyriac, the closest language we know of to what Jesus spoke, and it sends electric chills down your spine. We also love Intinction, no Eucharist in the hand.
The Eastern Rites have some amazing and beautiful traditions that many Catholics should try and experience at least once.
I was privileged to visit Lebanon in Feb. 2006. We were on pilgrimage with a Maronite priest/monk from London. It was a truly rewarding experience, and the integration of religion with daily life was inspiring. Also, being in a Holy land which was evangelized by Christ and has stayed faithful, was amazing. Doubly impressive, considering that they have been perpetually invaded and persecuted .
I’ve been to a Maronite Liturgy as well. I can certainly echo the sentiments expressed here on the beauty or it.
When I lived in Austin, TX there was a Maronite Catholic church.During the Father’s teaching a discussion began on the readings. I wondered did the early Christians discuss the Aposles’ letters before Mass?
Didn’t understand a word that was sung but boy was that a treat for the ears! Can you ask your friend if the music to that video is available for purchase on CD or download? That’s something I would definitely buy.
Although I was confirmed Roman Rite, I have attended Maronite (and Melkite) Masses whenever possible and use the Maronite Divine Office for private prayer. I just got back from Austin, Texas and attending Mass at Our Lady’s Maronite Church there was THE highlight of the trip!
I will be trying to find other Maronites now in my area of the Northwest and hopefully, with God’s help, we can at least work towards a mission here. While things ARE improving in the Roman Rite parishes, things are still NOT GOOD. However, among the Eastern Rites, I find orthodox teaching, a seriousness about the Faith, and reverent Liturgies that make it clear that Our Lord Jesus IS present in the Sacrament.