Joining a Maronite parish

[Augustine]

Out of fondness for the Liturgy, for years now I’ve been attending Liturgy on Fridays at a Maronite parish. I’ve got to know the regulars and the priest pretty well. So much that I considered it my secondary parish.

Recently, due to changing family situation it became difficult to attend Mass at my Latin parish. But, one Sunday, I woke up chanting many of the responses of the faithful from the Maronite Liturgy and figured that I should perhaps attend the Sunday Liturgy too. After a month going to the Maronite parish for the Sunday Liturgy, my heart has soared as it seldom did at Mass. I recently spoke with the Maronite priest and he’d welcome me at his parish. This week I’ll be talking to the priest at my Latin parish about my leaving it.

But I still have a lot to learn and grow from the Maronite traditions and theology. The priest indicated to me that the Maronite spirituality is pretty much that of the Fathers of the Desert. I’ll certainly break open my copy of St. John Cassian’s “Conferences”, but I’m afraid that I’ll still need something more distilled for a beginner. I’d appreciate pointer about it.

Pax Christi

 

[bauerice]

Sounds cool. We have one Maronite Parish in our Diocese. Always thought about visiting it.

 

[Kenny_Kamel]

I have a particular affinity for the Maronites and if I lived near one of churches I would definitely consider joining the parish. Where I live in central Illinois the nearest Maronite communities are 90 minutes away, St. Raymond’s Cathedral in Saint Louis, MO and St. Sharbel’s Church in Peoria, IL. Both are AMAZING!

If I may share a post I made recently about Mass habits:

I don’t know if you are able to attend another church or another Mass form but for my part I had been attending the same daily Mass for three years and began yearning for a change this year. This month another church near my home began offering daily Mass in the traditional Latin extraordinary form and I have been attending it ever since. I could probably count on one hand how many times I had been to an EF Mass before this month and doing it daily has truly reinvigorated my love for the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Look for other opportunities for daily Mass but please don’t give it up

 

[Casilda]

paulistpress.com/Products/25-7/captivated-by-your-teachings.aspx

It’s specific to Maronite history. On the transfer, its more involved than switching parishes. You will have a new Bishop! I transfered by marrying a Maronite.

 

[Elizium23]

Paulist Press is a horrible publisher, well-known for spreading dissent and error in its many publications.

 

[Casilda]

Paulist Press is a horrible publisher, well-known for spreading dissent and error in its many publications.

The book is published by E.T. Nedder Publishing, an imprint of Paulist Press. The book was written by a Maronite priest, with over 30 years of catechetical work and now serves as Eparchy Director of Religious Ed. My priest suggested the book as a quick overview of the Eastern Catholic faith through the Maronite history.

The book has the Imprimatur of the Most Rev. Rbt. J. Shaheen, Bishop of Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles and Nihil obstat of Chorbishop Seely J. Beggiani

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

Paulist Press is a horrible publisher, well-known for spreading dissent and error in its many publications.

That’s a rather bold and sweeping statement that deserves some substantiation. I own a good number of books from Paulist Press, including the book linked, have read them and have always learned something. Paulist Press publishes the “Classics of Western Spirituality” series, which is absolutely fantastic! They also publish the “Ancient Christian Writers” series, another wonderful publication. They’ve also produced a good number of books and audio talks by Fr. Raymond Brown - who is by far one of the most prolific biblical scholars of the 20th Century and was held in very high esteem by Pope Paul VI.

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

The book is published by E.T. Nedder Publishing, an imprint of Paulist Press. The book was written by a Maronite priest, with over 30 years of catechetical work and now serves as Eparchy Director of Religious Ed. My priest suggested the book as a quick overview of the Eastern Catholic faith through the Maronite history.

The book has the Imprimatur of the Most Rev. Rbt. J. Shaheen, Bishop of Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles and Nihil obstat of Chorbishop Seely J. Beggiani

It is a great book! I’ve read it cover-to-cover, and am always referring back to it whenever I have questions come up.

I also highly recommend Early Syriac Theology: With Special Reference to the Maronite Tradition. It’s a little “headier,” but is an absolutely fantastic book.