First Maronite Mass

[bjcsfo]

I went to my first Maronite Mass today and got a lot out of it and plan on going back many more times. Many forum members complain that there are latinizations that have compromised it. What are they and how would the Mass be different from what it is now?

Bruce

 

[theistgal]

First, perhaps you could tell us what you enjoyed about it, and what makes you want to go back. Let’s focus on the positives before getting to any negatives!

 

[Aramis]

Which way was the priest facing during the eucharistic prayers?

 

[bjcsfo]

The Priest was facing the congregation. I enjoyed the music, was inspiring instead of aggrevating as some of the music is in the Roman rite churches I attend. The prayers also were inspiring and really spoke to me

 

[Filii_Dei]

Firstly,

The Priest was facing the congregation.

Secondly,

I enjoyed the music, was inspiring instead of aggrevating as some of the music is in the Roman rite churches I attend.

That answers your question about what some of those Latinisations are.

Previously, the Maronite mass (as did the Roman mass) faced east (or God, or the wall, or simply away from the congregation) as a norm, not toward the congregation. Also, they have always had their own repository of Maronite chants and hymns. What you observe now are changes that occurred in the wake of the implementation of the Mass of Paul VI that occurred within the Latin Church, but influenced the Maronites as wlel.