Latin Rite Catholic Getting Involved in a Maronite Parish?

[JPUSC]

I was just wondering…can a Latin Rite Catholic get involved in a Maronite parish…like joining a parish group? I live right close to one and am very interested in the Eastern Rites and their cultures, languages.

I am already involved in my Latin Rite parish which is nearby as well, but I like to explore all things Catholic

I am neither Maronite nor Lebanese, so I don’t know if that would be awkward lol!!

 

[Zekariya]

Certainly! I am Melkite Rite and am involved in a Latin parish (besides my Melkite one).

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

You most certainly can. Although I am officially Roman, I had been heavily involved in my (former) Melkite parish for a number of years - until my family moved. We have looked to get involved in the local Maronite parish that is near us now, but still haven’t quite settled in to our new living environment.

The Maronites and the Melkites in general tend to be very welcoming to folks. So long as you are respectful of their customs, traditions, spirituality, theology, etc., you should have no problems.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

Certainly! I am Melkite Rite and am involved in a Latin parish (besides my Melkite one).

Side question, since I’m confused and always eager to learn more:

Your profile stuff above your reply identifies you as a Coptic Catholic Christian. I thought the Coptic Catholic Church is a sui iuris church, just like the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. So are you a Melkite Catholic or a Coptic Catholic?

Also, is there such a thing as the Melkite Rite? I thought the Melkite Church uses the Byzantine Rite (and the Coptic Catholic Church uses the Alexandrian Rite?).

Sorry if any ignorance has rendered any of these questions obnoxious or insensitive. I’m not sure if I’m missing something here.

 

[Zekariya]

Side question, since I’m confused and always eager to learn more:

Your profile stuff above your reply identifies you as a Coptic Catholic Christian. I thought the Coptic Catholic Church is a sui iuris church, just like the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. So are you a Melkite Catholic or a Coptic Catholic?

Also, is there such a thing as the Melkite Rite? I thought the Melkite Church uses the Byzantine Rite (and the Coptic Catholic Church uses the Alexandrian Rite?).

Sorry if any ignorance has rendered any of these questions obnoxious or insensitive. I’m not sure if I’m missing something here.

I was a convert to the Antiochian Orthodox Church and later converted to the Coptic Orthodox Church and later was received into the Catholic Church. :whacky:

I continue practice the Coptic Rite Agpeya (LOTH) prayers. I don’t live anywhere near the two Coptic Catholic parishes in the USA. I attend either the Melkite parish or the Saturday night Mass at a Latin Catholic parish (I am disabled and sometimes Saturday night is best for me).

 

[shawnbm]

I can’t believe I ran into this very thread on the Eastern Catholicism forum. It is a perfect opening for me. I converted from the Episcopal Church some five years ago by desire and officially was welcomed into the Church (Latin Rite) three Easters ago during the Great Easter Vigil. That being said, I was and remain fascinated with the Eastern Rites and visit a Maronite Rite Church as close or closer to my home than my Latin Rite “official” parish. I have taken my children to a mass/divine liturgy there and am taking my wife for a Lenten noon mass next week (if we don’t do a Saturday Vigil Mass this weekend ).

As the Chorbishop of the Maronite parish (equivalent to a monsignor in Latin Rite parishes as I understand it) personally knows one of the priests-in-residence at my Latin Rite parish, I do all I can to foster discussion about the two. I know wish to get some kids in my confirmation class to attend a Maronite liturgy to broaden their experience, minds and souls. I also wish to see if our Latin Rite parish council of the Knights of Columbus want to try and reach out to the Maronite men to form a union or to at least get together to learn from one another.

Does anyone have any experience in this regard he or she might wish to share with me? I would love to see Latin Rite Catholics get together at the Maronite parish and vice-versa to learn more about each other to the mutual benefit of all–not to have one subsumed into another. Any thoughts? Thank you and blessings to all.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

I was a convert to the Antiochian Orthodox Church and later converted to the Coptic Orthodox Church and later was received into the Catholic Church. :whacky:

I continue practice the Coptic Rite Agpeya (LOTH) prayers. I don’t live anywhere near the two Coptic Catholic parishes in the USA. I attend either the Melkite parish or the Saturday night Mass at a Latin Catholic parish (I am disabled and sometimes Saturday night is best for me).

Oh, I see. Thanks for clarifying; I was curious! (Further side note: I’m pretty sure there’s no such thing as the “Melkite Rite.” The Melkites use the Byzantine Rite; I know there are variations among the autonomous churches, but I’m still almost certain that there’s no Melkite Rite per se)

Also out of curiosity, which kind of Antiochian Orthodox were you - Greek (Chalcedonian) or Syriac (non-Chalcedonian)?

And what were you before your were Antiochian Orthodox, if I may ask? What were you originally?

 

[Zekariya]

Oh, I see. Thanks for clarifying; I was curious! (Further side note: I’m pretty sure there’s no such thing as the “Melkite Rite.” The Melkites use the Byzantine Rite; I know there are variations among the autonomous churches, but I’m still almost certain that there’s no Melkite Rite per se)

Also out of curiosity, which kind of Antiochian Orthodox were you - Greek (Chalcedonian) or Syriac (non-Chalcedonian)?

And what were you before your were Antiochian Orthodox, if I may ask? What were you originally?

I meant Melkite Church. :compcoff: There is no “Melkite” Rite. Antiochian (Greek) Orthodox is what I was. I grew up in a protestant household.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

I meant Melkite Church. :compcoff: There is no “Melkite” Rite. Antiochian (Greek) Orthodox is what I was. I grew up in a protestant household.

Wow! You’ve had quite a journey! Raised Protestant, joined the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, converted to the Coptic Orthodox Church, and are now Catholic. Wow!

You must have quite a life story.

 

[Peter_J]

Also, is there such a thing as the Melkite Rite?

You’re right, the Melkite Church is a church, not a rite. However, the misconception that church=rite (not only with respect to the East, but also e.g. the “Latin Church = Roman Rite” comment I saw on a recent thread) is so pervasive that I often wonder if there’s any point in continuing to correct such statements.

 

[Aramis]

You’re right, the Melkite Church is a church, not a rite. However, the misconception that church=rite (not only with respect to the East, but also e.g. the “Latin Church = Roman Rite” comment I saw on a recent thread) is so pervasive that I often wonder if there’s any point in continuing to correct such statements.

One is never wrong in pushing for truth.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

You’re right, the Melkite Church is a church, not a rite. However, the misconception that church=rite (not only with respect to the East, but also e.g. the “Latin Church = Roman Rite” comment I saw on a recent thread) is so pervasive that I often wonder if there’s any point in continuing to correct such statements.

I think there is.

I used to confuse them myself. Had no idea there was a difference. Even argued about it with an eastern Christian for a post or two before I understood that (s)he wasn’t rejecting the term “rite” (that was my erroneous first impression) but rather was simply making crucial distinctions.

The greater the number of the people who understand this terminology, the less inaccurate notions will prevail. And it’s so easy to set right, since all it takes is one little explanation. That’s all it took for me.

 

[Zekariya]

I know full well that the Melkite Church follows the Byzantine Rite. I miss typed.

 

[Fone_Bone_2001]

I know full well that the Melkite Church follows the Byzantine Rite. I miss typed.

Of course. You did say so earlier.

I honestly wasn’t thinking of you when I typed my earlier reply; Peter’s words spoke of the prevalence of the misunderstanding, which made me think of my earlier experiences with those who don’t know the difference. I honestly didn’t have you in mind at all when I typed my reply.

 

[jcld]

I truly envy you… a lot… Wish there was also an Eastern Catholic rite church just nearby… I am also interested… In my case, I am interested to participate in their worship as well… and I also wish to learn the basics of Eastern Catholic worship… Just like studying Western Catholic elements from the very beginning… Wow! It would be great just like how Pope John Paul II said… wherein we must also learn Eastern Catholic worship to make us feel completeness of God’s revelation. As Western Catholics, we just experience half of God’s revelation (i.e. the other half is in Eastern Catholic communities). To experience completeness, we must also know how to be Eastern Catholics COOL!

 

[jcld]

Anyone in this community… Could you possibly suggest books to study so that I can learn Eastern Catholicism ? Looks interesting indeed…

Is there any equivalent for “The Faith Explained by Leo Trese” in the Eastern Catholic library ? I am so excited to get started

Is it absolutely necessary to learn Greek language ?

Do Eastern Catholics worship with the use of the English language as well ?

 

[Zekariya]

I truly envy you… a lot… Wish there was also an Eastern Catholic rite church just nearby… I am also interested… In my case, I am interested to participate in their worship as well… and I also wish to learn the basics of Eastern Catholic worship… Just like studying Western Catholic elements from the very beginning… Wow! It would be great just like how Pope John Paul II said… wherein we must also learn Eastern Catholic worship to make us feel completeness of God’s revelation. As Western Catholics, we just experience half of God’s revelation (i.e. the other half is in Eastern Catholic communities). To experience completeness, we must also know how to be Eastern Catholics COOL!

I can hook you up with daily prayers.
Byzantine Morning Prayers: orthodox.net/services/morning-prayers.html
Byzantine Evening Prayers: orthodox.net/services/evening-prayers.html
Coptic Liturgy of the Hours (Agpeya): agpeya.org A Coptic layperson generally prays only a couple of the Psalms (not all of them) for each Canonical Hour.

Anyone in this community… Could you possibly suggest books to study so that I can learn Eastern Catholicism ? Looks interesting indeed…

Is there any equivalent for “The Faith Explained by Leo Trese” in the Eastern Catholic library ? I am so excited to get started

Is it absolutely necessary to learn Greek language ?

Do Eastern Catholics worship with the use of the English language as well ?

English is fine. Most resources come from the Eastern or Oriental Orthodox Churches though. Here is an online book that will give you a good feel for Byzantine Theology (it is written by an Eastern Orthodox priest - some of it is clearly against the pope and Latin things). Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky: intratext.com/IXT/ENG0824/_INDEX.HTM

 

[jcld]

WOW!!! That’s amazing! Thanks Keep the stuff coming

Then… I will expand little by little by chaining the sites… Might get some more hihihihi

Thanks again

… That reply was f a s t and it’s what I actually needed

 

[Zekariya]

How to make the Sign of the Cross “properly” from a Slavonic viewpoint: orthodoxphotos.com/readings/beginning/cross.shtml

 

[Zekariya]

The Greater Blessing of Holy Water that is done once a year on the feast of Theophany: orthodoxphotos.com/readings/beginning/aguiasma.shtml