Eastern Catholic Sacraments OK?

[bengeorge]

Hi,

I’m a Roman Catholic from Texas, visiting my sister in Atlanta. I searched for a local church, and found that there is a Byzantine Catholic church nearby. I have been wanting to go to a Byzantine Catholic Mass for a long time, and so am quite excited.

I have looked around the forums, but can’t seem to find an answer to this question:

May I recieve the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist at this Byzantine Catholic church?

As a side question, if a young man were to get married, and then later decide he also wanted to be a priest, could he join an Eastern Catholic seminary, and be ordained? It seems like a cheap “work-around”.

All in all, what’s to prevent a Roman Catholic from utilizing any Eastern Catholic facilities/sacraments?

thanks,
ben

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

bengeorge:

Hi,

I’m a Roman Catholic from Texas, visiting my sister in Atlanta. I searched for a local church, and found that there is a Byzantine Catholic church nearby. I have been wanting to go to a Byzantine Catholic Mass for a long time, and so am quite excited.

I have looked around the forums, but can’t seem to find an answer to this question:

May I recieve the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist at this Byzantine Catholic church?

Yes, we are fully Catholic and you may fulfill your obligations at any Catholic rite.

Just so you know it is nota Byzantine Catholic Mass, it is called the Divine Liturgy.

Most likely confession would go the same as you know, the they do it the Byzantine way then just ask for directions, I am sure the priest would love to help you out.

As a side question, if a young man were to get married, and then later decide he also wanted to be a priest, could he join an Eastern Catholic seminary, and be ordained? It seems like a cheap “work-around”.

Techincally I believe the answer is no. Changing rites to get round the celibacy issue is not a proper reason to change.

All in all, what’s to prevent a Roman Catholic from utilizing any Eastern Catholic facilities/sacraments?

There are none and I believe that the Holy Father encourages it.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

bengeorge:

Hi,

I’m a Roman Catholic from Texas, visiting my sister in Atlanta. I searched for a local church, and found that there is a Byzantine Catholic church nearby. I have been wanting to go to a Byzantine Catholic Mass for a long time, and so am quite excited.

As Byzcath has already noted, we call it the “Divine Liturgy” – the term “Mass” comes from the Latin dismissal at the end of Mass (Ite missa est).

There are a couple of Byzantine parishes in that area. There’s Epiphany of the Lord in Roswell and they are a Ruthenian parish, and there’s also St. John Chrysostom parish, a beautiful Melkite parish right in Atlanta (1428 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE). Fr. John Azar is the pastor there.

I have looked around the forums, but can’t seem to find an answer to this question:

May I recieve the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist at this Byzantine Catholic church?

Absolutely. Go to communion with your arms crossed over your chest (like some Latin parishes tell kids to do if they just want a blessing), open your mouth and tip your head back a little. Do not stick out your tongue, do not say “Amen” to the communion formula.

As a side question, if a young man were to get married, and then later decide he also wanted to be a priest, could he join an Eastern Catholic seminary, and be ordained? It seems like a cheap “work-around”.

Absolutely not. First, a man would not even be considered unless he had been a member of the parish for five to ten years. Secondly, he would have to go through a once-in-a-lifetime change of ritual Church process. Then he’d need to spend time in the seminary and find some way to support his wife and family. That’s if they would even consider him in the first place! We do have single men who were Latin and became Melkite priests, but it was a difficult process for all of them.

All in all, what’s to prevent a Roman Catholic from utilizing any Eastern Catholic facilities/sacraments?

Any Catholic is free to receive the sacraments (we call them “mysteries”) at any Church that is in communion with Rome.

Deacon Ed

 

[bengeorge]

Hi, Thanks all for the replies…

So, is there any formula for Reconciliation? How do I say it?

Do you say “and the Son” after “…proceeds from the Father”?

How do Byzantine Catholics feel about Roman Catholics? Do they feel 100% in communion, or do they feel “sorta” in communion, like a Roman would be somewhat of an outsider?

Most orthodox Roman Catholics have a great love for the Pope, with pictures of him up around the house… do Byzantine or other Eastern Rite Catholics feel the same way?

Would it be weird if I prayed the Rosary before the Divine Liturgy, or if I accidentally crossed myself in typical Western style?

And is there anything else I should be aware of?

I am going to the Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church in Roswell, I am looking forward to it greatly, as I have heard of the beauty of the Eastern Liturgy.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Deacon_Ed]

bengeorge:

Hi, Thanks all for the replies…

So, is there any formula for Reconciliation? How do I say it?

If you are referring to going to confession, simply ask the priest before the Liturgy begins to hear your confession. He will ask you stand before the icon of Christ and he will stand at your side. Feel free to say “Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been…since my last confession.” This is perfectly acceptable in the Eastern Catholic Church.

Do you say “and the Son” after “…proceeds from the Father”?

Normally, no. In the case of the Ruthenian Church it will depend on the priest.

How do Byzantine Catholics feel about Roman Catholics? Do they feel 100% in communion, or do they feel “sorta” in communion, like a Roman would be somewhat of an outsider?

The spectrum is too broad to even address. Some feel very much at home with Rome while others feel like outsiders. There is no universal position statement that can be made.

Most orthodox Roman Catholics have a great love for the Pope, with pictures of him up around the house… do Byzantine or other Eastern Rite Catholics feel the same way?

In my Melkite church we have a picture of the pope, a picture of our patriarch (Gregory III) and our two bishops (Cyril and Nicholas).

Would it be weird if I prayed the Rosary before the Divine Liturgy, or if I accidentally crossed myself in typical Western style?

Nah, many Ruthenians pray the rosary and don’t worry about signing yourself backwards…

And is there anything else I should be aware of?

Find someone, tell them you are visiting for the first time and ask for directions. Most Eastern Catholics are happy to “show you the ropes” (and it’s not so you can hang yourself).

I am going to the Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church in Roswell, I am looking forward to it greatly, as I have heard of the beauty of the Eastern Liturgy.

Well, as a Melkite I’m disappointed…but I trust you will have a blessed experience anyway.

Deacon Ed

 

[Edwin1961]

You will be enriched and experience ‘Heaven on Earth’. Do not let the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrsysostom be a distraction. When I returned to my Byzantine baptismal rite, I was intinidated by the length and the prayers of the Divine Liturgy (I’m visually impaired and had a difficult time following the prayerbook).
Yet after attending every Sunday and some weekdays, I am very comfortable and know 98% of it by heart.

My suggestion, you will be standing quite a bit, wear comfortable shoes! The Liturgy will last about 60-75 minutes. Do not be afraid to socialize afterwards as you exit the church.

I hope all of this helps and let us know what your experience was like for you!

go with God!
Edwin

 

[bengeorge]

Hi all,

My experience was great. Father Philip is the priest there at Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church in Roswell, Georgia. He was great, the church was very nice.

In all it was a very interesting experience. I think all Roman Catholics should make more effort to understand Eastern Rite Catholics.

Thanks
Ben

 

[mjdonnelly]

If you are married and want to become a priest, I suggest doing some research into becoming a deacon. You still recieve the sacrament of Holy Orders and then are able to do alot to help the Church.

 

[CatholicNerd]

bengeorge:

Hi all,

My experience was great. Father Philip is the priest there at Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church in Roswell, Georgia. He was great, the church was very nice.

In all it was a very interesting experience. I think all Roman Catholics should make more effort to understand Eastern Rite Catholics.

Thanks
Ben

I whole-heartedly agree. I’ve been attending Eastern Christian Formation classes at the local Ruthenian Parish (saints-cyril-and-methodius.org/) for three weeks now and I am quite certain that this is where God intended for me to end up all along. Surely I’ve posted about being confused about which ritual church to enter. Suffice it to say that if I ever teach RCIA at a Latin parish I’m going to make an effort to get in contact with the local priests of the other ritual churches and inform my class members that they are free to be catechized in any one of them.

I’m in love with the heritage and traditions of the Latin church, don’t get me wrong, but quite honestly I think it’s best for my soul if I devote myself to the ways of the Ruthenian church. For example:

You may have noticed that I tend to be a weeee bit legalistic and pompus when it comes to talking about matters of the faith. It hit me the other day that such an attitude may very well cost me my salvation. On Saturday afternoon my Latin confessor asked me to pick a favorite prayer and recite it as a penance for my sins. Incidentally the Latin gospel reading happened to be about the Pharisee and Tax Collector in the Temple. So I’m at Divine Liturgy this morning and suddenly we come to:

“O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
God, cleanse my sins and have mercy on me.
O Lord forgive me for I have sinned without number.”

and

“Remember me, O Lord, when You shall come into Your kingdom. Remember me, O Master, when You shall come into Your kingdom. Remember me, O Holy One, when You shall come into Your kingdom.”

Now the Latin confiteor and traditional act of contrition are certainly beautiful but this really struck me and I almost teared up because it puts it all so succinctly. At chant Mass tonight I prayed it silently after the Domine non sum dignis (which is also a venerable expression of contrition) and it made for a very reverent reception of the Holy Eucharist. Suffice it to say that I think I’ve found my prayer…

Now, all I gotta do is figure out how to earn a living as an organist after I go Ruthenian…