Last Rites in the Maronite Rite?

[NorthTexan88]

I sometimes attend a Maronite parish in my area and was curious about how the Maronites administer last rites?
When I read about the sacrament on the parish website, they mostly cited information about the Latin Rite, do Maronites use the Latin form of Last Rites or do they have their own?

I would also like to know about the UGCC rites for this as well, as I sometimes attend a UGCC.

Thanks!

 

[MorEphrem]

The current forms of things like extreme unction are yet again another Latin imposition on Maronite sacraments. The Syriac equivalent of last rites (specifically unction) is the Rite of the Lamp (which we now do on Wednesday of holy week ). It involves a dough container of oil with wicks in it that is then prayed over by priests using 7 hoosoye (hard to explain a hoosoyo - in short, a litany with a singular theme). The wicks are progressively lit and then following the completion of the rite all the people priest in the room of the sick (to my understanding) are anointed as well as the sick person.

 

[malphono]

The current forms of things like extreme unction are yet again another Latin imposition on Maronite sacraments. The Syriac equivalent of last rites (specifically unction) is the Rite of the Lamp (which we now do on Wednesday of holy week ). It involves a dough container of oil with wicks in it that is then prayed over by priests using 7 hoosoye (hard to explain a hoosoyo - in short, a litany with a singular theme). The wicks are progressively lit and then following the completion of the rite all the people priest in the room of the sick (to my understanding) are anointed as well as the sick person.

Yes about the current latinized practice, and another “yes” in regard to the Rite of the Lamp. Let me note, though, there was a traditional “short form” that was used in danger of death. It’s only about 7 (relatively brief) prayers including the unction.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Yes about the current latinized practice, and another “yes” in regard to the Rite of the Lamp. Let me note, though, there was a traditional “short form” that was used in danger of death. It’s only about 7 (relatively brief) prayers including the unction.

Any text on this Liturgy available? I’d like to compare!

 

[malphono]

Any text on this Liturgy available? I’d like to compare!

I can’t off hand think of anything in English other than the abbreviated latinized version. The Syriac texts are as rare as hen’s teeth.

 

[RomanCatholic66]

The current forms of things like extreme unction are yet again another Latin imposition on Maronite sacraments. The Syriac equivalent of last rites (specifically unction) is the Rite of the Lamp (which we now do on Wednesday of holy week ). It involves a dough container of oil with wicks in it that is then prayed over by priests using 7 hoosoye (hard to explain a hoosoyo - in short, a litany with a singular theme). The wicks are progressively lit and then following the completion of the rite all the people priest in the room of the sick (to my understanding) are anointed as well as the sick person.

That’s ridicules for you to say that this sacrament has evolved into a “Latin” form. The Eastern Churches all have their own Traditions and if anyone makes any changes to Liturgical or Disciplinary rubrics, it’s THAT Church NOT Rome.

 

[malphono]

That’s ridicules for you to say that this sacrament has evolved into a “Latin” form. The Eastern Churches all have their own Traditions and if anyone makes any changes to Liturgical or Disciplinary rubrics, it’s THAT Church NOT Rome.

Perhaps MorEphrem’s choice of word could have been clearer, but I don’t think it’s quite fair to say it’s “ridiculous” to suggest that the Maronite Church has been (and is) a victim of latinization. The case with **MOST *** of the “old” latinizations in the Maronite Church is that they were self-imposed. In the case of the Novus Ordo-inspired neo-latinizatons, however, ALL are self-imposed. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the current practice of Unction does indeed stem from latinization. A latinization is a latinization, whether imposed from within or from without.

It also bears mentioning that, despite all its official pronouncements regarding the issue of latinization in general to the contrary, Rome has done little or nothing to reverse the current trend of Novus Ordo-inspired neo-latinizatons among the Maronites.

• NB: Although this isn’t one of them, it is to be noted here that there were some latinizations that were, in fact, IMPOSED BY ROME.

 

[MorEphrem]

That’s ridicules for you to say that this sacrament has evolved into a “Latin” form. The Eastern Churches all have their own Traditions and if anyone makes any changes to Liturgical or Disciplinary rubrics, it’s THAT Church NOT Rome.

Not to be rude, but I’m not 100% I can understand what you’ve said because you’re a bit unclear. Anyway, best that you see malphono’s post as well as read up on what the Congregation for the Oriental Churches does. It is a myth that all the EC Churches were fully autonomous and Rome never interfered in their liturgies. I can lend you a few books I have about how, for example, a Papal representative was sent to Lebanon in the 16th century (correct me if I’m wrong on the date) to correct “heretical” things like the Maronite formula of chrism. Post-Trent, things like infant communion were also anathematized and the like.

There’s also a reason why popes like Benedict XVI called upon the Eastern Churches to restore their patrimonies; even if they initially voluntarily changed a rite to placate Rome and demonstrate their “catholicism” such uniformization is a move away from the plethora of the treasure of the Church. Unless, of course, you think every pope since Paul VI is wrong.

 

[malphono]

Not to be rude, but I’m not 100% I can understand what you’ve said because you’re a bit unclear. Anyway, best that you see malphono’s post as well as read up on what the Congregation for the Oriental Churches does. It is a myth that all the EC Churches were fully autonomous and Rome never interfered in their liturgies.

Myth indeed. Almost like the legend of the Hydra …

I can lend you a few books I have about how, for example, a Papal representative was sent to Lebanon in the 16th century (correct me if I’m wrong on the date) **to correct “heretical” things **like the Maronite formula of chrism. Post-Trent, things like infant communion were also anathematized and the like.

Ah yes … the chapter of the burning of the books. Not one of Rome’s better achievements.

There’s also a reason why popes like Benedict XVI called upon the Eastern Churches to restore their patrimonies; even if they initially voluntarily changed a rite to placate Rome and demonstrate their “catholicism” such uniformization is a move away from the plethora of the treasure of the Church. Unless, of course, you think every pope since Paul VI is wrong.

And let’s not forget Pius XI, himself one of the “forgotten” Popes.

 

[NorthTexan88]

Do the Eastern Catholics have Last Rites?

What would Last Rites be like in the Melkite Church?

 

[Zekariya]

The current forms of things like extreme unction are yet again another Latin imposition on Maronite sacraments. The Syriac equivalent of last rites (specifically unction) is the Rite of the Lamp (which we now do on Wednesday of holy week ). It involves a dough container of oil with wicks in it that is then prayed over by priests using 7 hoosoye (hard to explain a hoosoyo - in short, a litany with a singular theme). The wicks are progressively lit and then following the completion of the rite all the people priest in the room of the sick (to my understanding) are anointed as well as the sick person.

This sounds just like the Byzantine Rite blessing of Unction Oil, wicks and Holy Wednesday alike.

 

[malphono]

This sounds just like the Byzantine Rite blessing of Unction Oil, wicks and Holy Wednesday alike.

Yes, there’s a similarity. For us, the placement of the service in the middle of Passion Week is a byzantinization.

 

[Rafkqa]

Yes, there’s a similarity. For us, the placement of the service in the middle of Passion Week is a byzantinization.

Are you saying that is was never part of passion week or that it should be somewhere else? I love that liturgy…

 

[MorEphrem]

Are you saying that is was never part of passion week or that it should be somewhere else? I love that liturgy…

The Rite of the Lamp is the Mystery of Unction for the West Syriac Churches, including the Maronite Church. It’s translation and inclusion into English was done by Bishop Doueihei and it is very much so a byzantinization that we would use a Rite of Unction in Holy Week as opposed to only when the situation arises.

Anyway, the Rite of the Lamp is beautiful but that alone does not warrant it being used in a Byzantine fashion. I do, however, think that warrants its restoration to its proper place, i.e. as Unction.