Beautiful Byzantine Catholic Mass

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CyrilSebastian

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The first time I attended a Byzantine Catholic Mass was in a lovely church named Saint Nicholas. During the Mass I noticed that the people knelt during the Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts prayer. The Byzantine Mass was truly beautiful and showed devout worship to the Lord God.
What was your reaction when you first attended a Byzantine Catholic Mass?
 
Hello Cyril.

I’ve never been to one. There is however a Byzantine Catholic Church nearer to me then my own parish and I’ve seriously considered going there jus to check it out and expand my knowledge of all things Catholic. Wish me luck.

What else can I expect different from the NO I go to?

Glenda
 
It was different, but very reverent, I enjoyed it. There is a Byzantine Catholic Church in our community so I attend Divine Liturgy there on occasion. Once you get used to the differences it is a very beautiful not to mention ancient liturgy.I have thought about attending there regularly but being Hispanic my roots are deep in the Latin rite. It is nice (for lack of a better word) that we are all Catholic even though our worship style is different.
 
I’m a little surprised as ever since I became Byzantine Catholic I have been told that it is improper to kneel at ANY point during the Liturgy except a few special times during Lent.
 
theistgal said:
I’m a little surprised as ever since I became Byzantine Catholic I have been told that it is improper to kneel at ANY point during the Liturgy except a few special times during Lent.
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While that is true to our tradition, it has only been in relatively recent (past 15 years or so?) that it has been followed in this country. During my childhood in the 1970s, we knelt for the consecration, possibly except for Easter to Pentecost. I don’t remember kneeling then, but I do remember that they removed the pews from the church. If you look in the old liturgy books, the people are directed to kneel at this point. My priest, who is a fairly recent immigrant from Slovakia, says that the people kneel in Slovakia.
 
They also still kneel at the Ukrainian Catholic parish I attend sometimes. They say the filioque during the creed as well.
babochka said:
While that is true to our tradition, it has only been in relatively recent (past 15 years or so?) that it has been followed in this country. During my childhood in the 1970s, we knelt for the consecration, possibly except for Easter to Pentecost. I don’t remember kneeling then, but I do remember that they removed the pews from the church. If you look in the old liturgy books, the people are directed to kneel at this point. My priest, who is a fairly recent immigrant from Slovakia, says that the people kneel in Slovakia.
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CyrilSebastian said:
The first time I attended a Byzantine Catholic Mass was in a lovely church named Saint Nicholas. During the Mass I noticed that the people knelt during the Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts prayer. The Byzantine Mass was truly beautiful and showed devout worship to the Lord God.
What was your reaction when you first attended a Byzantine Catholic Mass?
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Glory to Jesus Christ!

I was a child when I first attended (probably 9 or 10). Back then, there was much more Slavonic used; however, I remember recognizing many parts such as the Our Father and the Creed. It was mysterious but beautiful. Fifteen years later, I realized my home was in the Byzantine Rite. After attending exclusively for some time I attended a Latin rite mass and it was like the heavens were opened up to me. I realized I never understood the beauty that existed in the Latin rite. Since then, I endeavor to visit other rites in an attempt to have a fuller understanding of the extents of Christ’s Church

As mentioned above, the Mass is exclusive to the west. The Byzantine Rite celebrates the Divine Liturgy. I am a bit surprised at the kneeling during the “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Kneeling is a bit of a rarity in the East, normally used for penitential times. Even then, it tends to be a prostration rather than kneeling. In fact, when I see people sitting (other than for good reason) outside of the homily and the epistle I am still a little surprised. I have been taught that standing is our tradition. As a cantor, perhaps I am a little biased, but I normatively don’t see a good reason for it.

Regardless, welcome to the east! May it grow your spirituality no matter what Church you belong to.

God bless!
 
Filii_Dei said:
Bizarre. The Ukrainians specifically negotiated for the filioque to not be inserted into the Creed in the Union of Brest.
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And many a parish inserted it into the creed as a self-imposed Latinization during the communist era. Well documented, kind of sad.

It wasn’t a corporate decision of the UGCC, per se, but kind of a group-think.
 
I sometimes attend the liturgy at the Byzantine Catholic parish that is about a 1 hour drive away from me.
 
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