Eastern Rites for a Latin Rite Catholic

  • Thread starter Thread starter xzereus
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
X

xzereus

Guest
So, after some consideration, a friend and I have decided to look into other rites of the Church. Much of the desire to do this is most likely spurred by the extreme amount of disunity in the Latin Rite at this time, but I also have have felt drawn to a greater understanding of the Eastern Rites for some time. As such, I was hoping I could get some suggestions for Eastern Rites to look into. I’m located in Jacksonville, FL, so it’d probably be best if the rite had a parish in my area. Thank you for the advice!

(if you disagree that there is currently a lack of unity in the Latin Rite, I’d appreciate it if you let this slide–I’m not looking to have an argument on this matter.)
 
I appreciate the link. Unfortunately, the only Eastern Rite church it mentions in my city is now closed. Any other responses would be very helpful.
 
Google is your friend. You can start searching things out using keywords like “Byzantine Catholic” or “Melkite” or “Ukrainian Catholic” in your area.
 
That’s about it then.

However, if you want to understand what the Eastern Catholic churches aworship can be like, you can visit Orthodox churches. It is OK for you to visit, you just will not receive communion and it will not satisfy you Sunday obligation…

To satisfy your Sunday obligation you can go to an early Mass in your area (do the quickie 40 minute said Mass), then trot over. A Divine Liturgy can take 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Eastern parishes are usually quite accostomed to visitors, sometimes even small school groups come in to observe.

For more information on eastern spirituality, prayers and worship (should you become interested), there are some good books by Catholic authors which people here can recommend. I suggest you read the writings of Saint John Damascene, a Doctor of your church.
 
St Ephrem Syriac Catholic Church may be able to tell you if there are other Eastern Catholics meeting as a mission somewhere within an hour of where you are. You can contact the Ruthenian/Byzantine Catholic Church nearest you and ask if they have any services near you. They ought to know if they have people living in your area. Depending on the Orthodox Church situation ECs may also be worshipping there and the priest and deacon may know them and be able to put you in touch with them. Many of us worship in Orthodox Churches.
 
@**ConstantineTG **Of course, and I promise I haven’t skipped my own homework. I certainly did some googling and found a few, I just wanted to get a bit advice to see if there were any sources I was missing

@**Hesychios **I was definitely considering visiting one of the Orthodox churches in the area. I have done a bit of reading so far, and, from what I’ve seen, I do have a fondness for the spirit of Eastern theology as compared to the arguably legalistic approach of some Latin theologians. I also appreciate the suggested reading and will be sure to look up Saint John Damascene. If you’re aware of any other good Eastern writers, feel free to suggest them, Catholic or not. I won’t think you’re trying to convert me 😉

@**5Loaves **I actually was planning a visit here in the coming weeks, so this sounds like a good idea. I’ll be sure to check with the parishioners here and see if they can provide me with some more information.

Thank you all for your replies.
 
FWIW, there’s a Maronite mission in Jacksonville as well.

Saint Maron Maronite Mission
7032 Bowden Road
Jacksonville, FL, 32216
Tel. 904 448-0203
 
xzereus said:
(if you disagree that there is currently a lack of unity in the Latin Rite, I’d appreciate it if you let this slide–I’m not looking to have an argument on this matter.)
Click to expand...
May you find the unity you seek in the 22 Eastern Rites and in the various ways each of the cultures in those various Rites celebrates the Divine Liturgy, the Qorbono, etc. It’s really a wonderful experience of the catholicity of Catholicism. 🙂
 
xzereus said:
@**ConstantineTG **Of course, and I promise I haven’t skipped my own homework. I certainly did some googling and found a few, I just wanted to get a bit advice to see if there were any sources I was missing
Click to expand...
The parish I attend here have a website but not much information beyond that. It was a hard to even show up at the door the first time. It took months of asking questions here at CAF before I had the courage to.

I know what you’re going through. Just finding about such a parish existing close to where you live is the first step. Actually going there is the next. And it is an even harder step.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top