A question regarding Prayer and Sainrs from a Roman Catholic

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braeden_mackay

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Hello,

I have been very attracted to Eastern Catholicism ever since I was received into the church, sadly there are no Eastern Catholic churches, except for one in my diocese and that one is on the other side of the city and all the services are in Ukrainian. Non the less, I was wondering if it would be wrong or inappropriate for me to be reciting Eastern Catholic prayers? I was also wondering if anyone could recommend or provide some links to sites that have a traditional set of Eastern Catholic morning and evening prayers. I am just concerned that if I recite these prayers and go to the Latin-rite mass, then I am not being truly faithful to either “side” of Catholicism.

I am also interested in assembling an icon corner and I am worried that I may be getting icons of Eastern Orthodox saints and not Catholic ones, how can I tell the difference? Are there different saints in Eastern Catholicism than in the west?

Thank you in advance for helping me out by answering my several questions!

God bless you! and the intercession of the Saints remain with you!
 
Here are the basic prayers that Melkites pray at the beginning of our morning and evening prayers:

Trisagion Prayers
In the Name + of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: One God, forever and ever. Amen.

Glory to you, our God, glory to you!

O heavenly King, Consoler, Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of Blessings and the Giver of Life, come and dwell in us, cleanse us of all stain and save our souls, O Good One.

Holy + God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory be to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive us our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, look upon us and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory of the Father + and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
 
Other than having a prayer for the pope and using modern English, the Melkite Publican’s Prayer Book has the same morning and evening prayers as the Eastern Orthodox Jordanville Prayer Book that I linked to above.

Here are the Melkite intercessions (from Publican’s Prayer Book) that are used every morning:

**Prayers of Commemoration for the Living
**Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, your mercies and bounties, which are from all eternity, through which you became Man and willed to suffer crucifixion and death for the salvation of those who rightly believe in you, and having risen from the dead, ascended into Heaven and are enthroned at the right hand of the Father and regard the humble entreaties of those who call upon you with all their heart: incline your ear, and hear the humble prayer of me, your worthless servant, as the fragrance of spiritual incense, which I offer to you for all people.

Remember first, Lord, your holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, which you have provided through your Precious Blood. Confirm, strengthen, extend and increase her, and keep her in peace, and forever proof against the powers of Hell. Calm the dissensions of the Churches, and foil the plans of the powers of darkness. Still the raging of the nations, and quickly ruin and uproot the risings of heresy, and frustrate them by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Metany)

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our government and the Armed Forces and all in authority throughout the world. Protect their power with peace, and subdue under their feet every enemy and foe, and speak peace and blessing in their hearts for your holy Church, and for all your people; grant that in tranquility we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in true belief, in all piety and honesty. (Metany)

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on His Holiness N., the Pope of Rome; on His Beatitude, our Holy Patriarch, N.; on our God-loving Bishop, N., and on all orthodox patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops and bishops, the priests and deacons and all who serve in the Church and whom you have ordained to feed your spiritual flock; and by their prayers have mercy on me, a sinner. (Metany)

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our Father N., with all his brethren in Christ, and by their prayers have mercy on me, wretch that I am. (Metany)

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my parents, N., my husband/wife, N., my children, N., my brothers and sisters, and all my relatives and my neighbors and friends, and all the members of my parish, and grant them your worldly and spiritual goods. (Metany)

Save, O Lord, and have mercy according to the multitude of your bounty, on the monks and nuns and all living in virginity, devotion, and fasting in every place of your dominion. Lighten their burden, console them in their afflictions, and grant them strength, power and perseverance in their struggle; and by their prayers grant me the remission of my sins. (Metany)

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the old and the young; the poor and the destitute; the orphans and the widows; those in sickness and sorrow, misfortune and tribulation; those held captive or in exile; and on those of your servants who suffer persecution for your sake and for the orthodox Faith; and on all those who have asked for our prayers, unworthy though we are, especially N. Visit, strengthen, comfort and heal them, and, by your power, quickly grant them relief, freedom and deliverance. (Metany)

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those whom I have offended or scandalized by my madness or carelessness, and whom I have turned from the way of salvation or led into evil and harmful deeds. By your divine providence restore them again to the way of salvation. (Metany)

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those who hate and offend me and do me harm, and let them not perish because of me, a sinner. (Metany)

Illumine with the light of grace all apostates from the orthodox Faith, and those blinded by pernicious heresies, and draw them to yourself, and unite them to your holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. (Metany)

**For Those Who Have Fallen Asleep
**Remember, O Lord, those who have departed this life, orthodox patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops and bishops, priests and deacons, monks and nuns, and the laity of the Church, and the blessed founders and benefactors of all churches and monasteries, and grant rest with the saints in your eternal dwellings. (Metany)

Remember, O Lord, the souls of your servants who have departed in sleep: my parents N., and all my relatives according to the flesh; forgive them every transgression, voluntary or involuntary; grant them the kingdom and a share in your eternal joys, and the delight of your blessed and everlasting life. (Metany)

Remember, O Lord, all the members of our parish who have departed in sleep with the hope of Resurrection and eternal life, and all orthodox Christians who lie here and in all the world, and with your saints give them repose where the light of your face shines and have mercy on us, for you are good and the Lover of mankind. (Metany)

Grant, O Lord, remission of sins to all our fathers and brethren who have departed before us in the faith and in the hope of Resurrection, and grant them memory eternal. (Metany)

Metany means bow.
 
Thank you for your replies, they were most helpful. I was wondering if anyone on here, who is more knowledgeable than me, could tell me if it is Acceptable or a sinful practice to venerate Saint Elizabeth the New Martyr (Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia). I was just curious, I am intrigued by her martyrdom and love for Christ, and I was wanting to get an icon of her to put in my icon corner but I fear that is sinful for a Catholic to venerate this type of Saint. Thanks again!!
 
Thank you for your replies, they were most helpful. I was wondering if anyone on here, who is more knowledgeable than me, could tell me if it is Acceptable or a sinful practice to venerate Saint Elizabeth the New Martyr (Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia). I was just curious, I am intrigued by her martyrdom and love for Christ, and I was wanting to get an icon of her to put in my icon corner but I fear that is sinful for a Catholic to venerate this type of Saint. Thanks again!!
There is nothing wrong with venerating Eastern Orthodox saints. Many Eastern Catholics venerate them. The Eastern Orthodox Church is fully Catholic and Apostolic and has had many wonderful saints. 🙂
 
In the early Church, saints were canonized locally by/under the patriarch of the particular Church. It is only more recently (after the great schism) that the pope alone canonizes saints for those in Communion with Rome. In the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, the patriarch (in unity with the synod of bishops) still canonize saints and add them to the local calendars.

St Cyril of Alexandria’s uncle (the previous patriarch of Alexandria) is the person who deposed and exiled St John Chrysostom. Closer to the end of his life, St Cyril eventually added St John Chrysostom to Alexandria’s list of saints. 🙂
 
Thanks so much for your help!!! I really appreciate it. I have one more question though, how should I arrange my icon corner? I have googled and gone to many websites but all of them have varying opinions. Is it okay put a large icon of the Theotokos holding the infant Christ at the center of my Icon corner and then the saints around it or is this bad? I am just concerned I am doing something wrong.
 
Hi Braeden,
Non the less, I was wondering if it would be wrong or inappropriate for me to be reciting Eastern Catholic prayers?
It’s perfectly permissible to pray Eastern Catholic prayers.
I was also wondering if anyone could recommend or provide some links to sites that have a traditional set of Eastern Catholic morning and evening prayers.
In English, for the Syriac Maronites, you can find them at: (Evening, Morning, and Night)
maronitefaith.com/

In Syriac (Aramaic), for the Syriac Maronites, you can find them at: (The 7 Offices of the Day)
beith-morounoye.org

Also, in the Syriac Maronite Tradition, the Icon corner in your home should be on the Eastern wall of the house, in a appropriate place. It should be a place where you and your family can pray together. Having the Icon of the Virgin Mary carrying the Infant Jesus, is highly recommended.

With a pure and contrite heart, knowing the intention of your prayer: (This series of prayers has to be said by a Syriac Maronite, when praying alone, when starting to say the Offices, or before the start of the qurob qurbono (The Offering of the Sacrifice – The Mass in the West).)
  1. Face the East, where the Icon corner is, and cross your hands over your chest.
  2. Say: Let us confess, adore, and praise the holy and glorious Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  3. Say: Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
  4. Say: Holy are you, O God; Holy are you, O Strong One; Holy are you, O Immortal One! Have mercy on us! – Three times.
  5. Say: Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive us and have mercy on us. Lord, hear us and have mercy on us. Lord, accept our worship and our prayers. Lord, come to our assistance and have mercy on us.
  6. Say: Our Father …
  7. Say: Psalm 51: Have mercy on me, O God …
  8. Read other Psalms, as is appropriate
  9. Do three deep bows, with each bow doing the Sign of the Cross.
  10. Do your meditation, without rushing, as is appropriate
  11. Do three Metania to the right of the Icon mentioned above, and three Metania to its left
  12. Leave the Icon Corner quietly and without haste.
Some people after the “Our Father”, will say the “Hail Mary” and the “Creed”. Some will also conclude the prayer time with:
"Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as we begin and until we conclude. May mercy and compassion be poured forth upon us in this world and the next. O Lord, our God, to you be glory for ever. Amen! "
I am just concerned that if I recite these prayers and go to the Latin-rite mass, then I am not being truly faithful to either “side” of Catholicism.
There’s no such thing as, “side of Catholicism”, all the Particular Churches that make up the One Holy Cathlolic Church are one in the Apostolic Faith, but different in theological expressions, theological understanding, and liturgical life. Their unique Traditions and Common Faith where passed down through the Apostolic Sees of Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople (from the See of Antioch.)

When you are in a Church, belonging to one of the Sees mentioned above, then follow its particular traditions, without incorporating the traditions of the other Sees, as such you will be fully faithful.
I am also interested in assembling an icon corner and I am worried that I may be getting icons of Eastern Orthodox saints and not Catholic ones, how can I tell the difference?
The Icons used by Catholics and Orthodox have a common origin, and it’s not heretical to use them at home. I would recommend that you use Icons specific to your particular tradition, as it will keep you in synch with your own tradition. Also, consult the Catholic Book of Saints, before choosing an Icon.
Are there different saints in Eastern Catholicism than in the west?
Yes, there are Saints that you’ll find in the Eastern Catholic books, which don’t appear in then Latin Roman Catholic books.

In Christ,
keefa
 
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