I'm thinking about changing rites while in RCIA and I could use your help sorting that out

[Baho]

Hey folks. I’m a convert. I first started investigating the idea of God about 6 or 7 years ago and was eventually baptized a few years ago in a non-denominational Protestant church. I wasn’t entirely settled on my theological beliefs yet but knew that I wanted to be baptized at that time. I then spent a few years determining whether Orthodoxy or Catholicism was the correct path for me. I attended a Maronite church about 40 minutes south of me, even though it was far, as it was a traditional rite that I really enjoyed and the liturgy incorporates Syriac which I thought was cool. Also I’m a fluent Arabic speaker and I liked the idea of being able to tie that into my worship somehow.

I decided that I wanted to become Catholic and I reached out but it was already a few months into the RCIA timeline at that point. The priest was very busy and only teaching one other guy, who he had been teaching 1-on-1, so he couldn’t afford to go back and catch me up due to the time that would be sacrificed at the expense of the other guy. So I ended up just attending a local (much closer, like 10-15 minutes vice 40-60 from my house) Roman Rite church. I’ve loved it and they’ve been really good to me. The priest is awesome and I look up to and respect him, as well as the Deacon that has helped me out a ton. My wife loves our church and misses it now that we can’t attend. It’s great. It really is. And it’s close.

The thing is, I really like the Maronite church. I love the music, the style of the liturgy, and the traditional nature of the worship there. Additionally I just like incorporating the language that I can identify with so well. And also… I really like the idea that the door to priesthood is still open to me, some day, if that ever becomes something that I feel called to (since they technically allow married members to enter into the priesthood sometimes).

What do you think? What would it look like if I wanted to switch and is it a silly idea to? I’m baptized but my wife and children are not. We’ve participated in every RCIA milestone (Rite of Election, Acceptance, etc) but not the final rites of baptism (for them), confirmation, first communion and all of that. Idk. It’s something that I think about a lot. Let me know.

 

[BartholomewB]

I think you ought to speak to both priests, the one at the Maronite church and the one in your local parish. It’s my understanding that any Catholic baptized and confirmed in the Roman rite is fully free to attend Mass at a Maronite church, and vice versa. Is that correct? You’re better placed than I am to know the answer.

 

[Baho]

Thanks for your reply friend. I would talk to both for sure. The Maronites are absolutely Catholic and I can freely attend one mass or the other regardless, but I think which rite I belong to will impact which liturgical calendar I follow and which bishops are giving me guidance. Additionally, I’d need to be within the Maronite Rite for at least 5 years before I could ever pursue any calling to the priesthood or becoming a deacon for them. So receiving my rites within my current parish would mean forgoing that option down the road.

 

[LisaB]

I would strongly encourage you to go where your heart is, where you feel at home.

If in general you like the Latin parish you attend now, I would receive my first communion and confirmation there if it’s quicker that way, and inquire about what is involved in switching rites. In essence I wouldn’t prolong the reception of the sacraments but i know from experience how important and spirituality fruitful it is to go where you feel at home.

 

[BartholomewB]

Maybe we could ask @Salibi for some (name removed by moderator)ut?

 

[Salibi]

Also I’m a fluent Arabic speaker and I liked the idea of being able to tie that into my worship somehow.

Salaam!

The thing is, I really like the Maronite church. I love the music, the style of the liturgy, and the traditional nature of the worship there. Additionally I just like incorporating the language that I can identify with so well. And also… I really like the idea that the door to priesthood is still open to me, some day, if that ever becomes something that I feel called to (since they technically allow married members to enter into the priesthood sometimes).

What do you think? What would it look like if I wanted to switch and is it a silly idea to? I’m baptized but my wife and children are not. We’ve participated in every RCIA milestone (Rite of Election, Acceptance, etc) but not the final rites of baptism (for them), confirmation, first communion and all of that. Idk. It’s something that I think about a lot. Let me know.

I think if you feel more comfortable and happier in a Maronite church, you should most definitely switch to it…and I’m not saying that just because I’m from that tradition. However, I don’t know if you’d be allowed to switch for the sole purpose of being able to become a priest. I’m not really familiar with the Rites tranferring process, but if you can, mention all the other reasons you want to switch Rites and then maybe the priesthood.

I don’t think it’s a silly idea at all. If you are called to the Maronite tradition, then by all means join. There’s no obligation on converts to belong to any particular Rite…you’re free to choose (I think).

 

[Baho]

كيفك يا اخي ممنونك

I’m waiting for confession now so my priest is busy and then tomorrow is Sunday but I fully intend to call someone on Monday. I’m not sure who to talk to first though, my priest or the Maronite priest or my RCIA coordinator. My wife also hasn’t been to the Maronite parish before and can’t go right now since mass is canceled so that kind of adds some delay time anyway. After all its a decision that affects the entire family.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. For what its worth, I don’t want to switch specifically to become a priest. I just have a really bad feeling about closing that door. Also I have always really preferred reading the scriptures in Arabic as opposed to English. It just sounds better and feels more authentic. Especially the Old Testament since its Semitic language to Semitic language.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

It sounds to me like you should have been Maronite all along.

There was a similar thread a few months back (I think it was about a change to the Melkite Rite), and I opined that if I were the Eastern Rite bishop, the first question I would have on my mind is “are you wanting to change rites so you can be a married priest?”. That is not to say this is the first question I would ask — that would be kind of coarse — but it would definitely be on my mind, and at some point I’d direct the conversation towards it. Clearly your sentiments run deeper than that, and you seem to be saying that the priesthood is just a theoretical possibility.

If there were any way you could “forklift” your RCIA preparations, and those of your family, over to the Maronite Church, or go through the preparations and then be received into the Maronite rite, then I would say to go that route. Your heart is clearly there. And even if you were a Maronite, you would be free to partake of the Roman Rite at your pleasure.

 

[Vico]

…

Since you are already baptised in the Latin Church tradition, if you wanted to be enrolled in an eastern Catholic church, you could request a transfer through the eastern Catholic bishop. A person can ask, but it is not guaranteed. Arabic is also used in the Melkite Catholic church but the liturgies are different.

 

[Salibi]

كيفك يا اخي ممنونك

الحمد لله

ولا يهمك

I think it’s best if you discussed this with your wife first and got her approval. Since this is a family thing, it makes sense to make your wife is on board with attending a Maronite parish too. Otherwise you’d end up with each one of you attending a different church, which can be a hassle in a lot of ways. I don’t see why there should be a particular order in which priest you speak with first.

Also I have always really preferred reading the scriptures in Arabic as opposed to English. It just sounds better and feels more authentic. Especially the Old Testament since its Semitic language to Semitic language

I think you’d most definitely be happier in a Maronite church.

Good luck, will pray for you.

Ntebeh aa halak!

 

[tweedlealice]

The Maronites, from St. Maron, is under the Pope. We can worship there. They do Baptism, Communion & Confirmation at the infant Baptismal time. The order of the Mass is a little different. Yes, priests can marry. For that, you need to clarify w the Maronite priest. A Protestant music minister drives 3 hrs for church on Sunday. He had a phrase that was interesting. “A CHURCH ALIVE, IS WORTH THE DRIVE!” Cute. I’m rejoicing w you in your Spiritual journey. Welcome home.

 

[Baho]

Thank you brozzer. I’m going to call either the Maronite priest or my deacon today to start talking to them about where I’m at. Word is our churches will open in a couple weeks (on a limited scale) so I need to start thinking about it now. Thank you again for your time!