Maronite Mass

[bscastro]

Oh. I really meant that for the OP, since it seems like this will be his first Maronite Qurbono.

I was fairly aware that most were Lebanese, and I appreciate the reminder nonetheless.

God bless,
Bryan

 

[malphono]

Could you go into more detail about who is responsible for these changes?

Perhaps it would be more accurate to call it the Maronite version of the infamous “Consilium” but, by whatever moniker, it’s the self-same liturgical commission referred to earlier. (And so many people seem to think the East and Orient are immune from such things, yeah, right … but I digress)

 

[bscastro]

Just as an update, I attended the daily Mass this morning at the Maronite church. I enjoyed it very much.

It is very interesting, there are most (if not all) of the same elements as a Roman Catholic Mass, but sometimes in different points or orders. For example, the Psalm was read (by all) first before the 1st reading and gospel.

Also, first time I received the Eucharist where the host was dipped in the wine. It was beautiful hearing the consecration in Aramaic (I believe). Fortunately, the rest of the Mass was in English so I could follow along.

Overall, I think it was a good experience to attend and be exposed to the richness of our Catholic Church. I hope to go again. Perhaps not on a regular basis, but definitely again.

Yours in Christ,
Bryan

 

[chaldobyzantine]

Just as an update, I attended the daily Mass this morning at the Maronite church. I enjoyed it very much.

It is very interesting, there are most (if not all) of the same elements as a Roman Catholic Mass, but sometimes in different points or orders. For example, the Psalm was read (by all) first before the 1st reading and gospel.

Also, first time I received the Eucharist where the host was dipped in the wine. It was beautiful hearing the consecration in Aramaic (I believe). Fortunately, the rest of the Mass was in English so I could follow along.

Overall, I think it was a good experience to attend and be exposed to the richness of our Catholic Church. I hope to go again. Perhaps not on a regular basis, but definitely again.

Yours in Christ,
Bryan

It’s good to know you had a good experience

The consecration is typically in Aramaic, that is one of the few parts of the Holy Qurbono that is never in the Vernacular. It’s interesting that the Aramaic consecration is also almost identical to the Chaldean/Assyrian form as well.

Can I ask you if any other parts were in Aramaic? Typically there is also the Trisagion (Qaddishat Aloho, Holy God, Holy Mighty Holy Immortal, Have Mercy on us) and the entrance hymn (L’Baytokh Aloho eilet, Into your house we enter, O God) I do love the Aramaic and Syriac languages

~God Bless

 

[bscastro]

It’s good to know you had a good experience

The consecration is typically in Aramaic, that is one of the few parts of the Holy Qurbono that is never in the Vernacular. It’s interesting that the Aramaic consecration is also almost identical to the Chaldean/Assyrian form as well.

Can I ask you if any other parts were in Aramaic? Typically there is also the Trisagion (Qaddishat Aloho, Holy God, Holy Mighty Holy Immortal, Have Mercy on us) and the entrance hymn (L’Baytokh Aloho eilet, Into your house we enter, O God) I do love the Aramaic and Syriac languages

~God Bless

Greetings,

No, the Trisagion was in English. Although the Aramaic translation was also present in the “missal” (not sure what it’s called here). Actually, it was a very timely Mass for me to attend, because it was the feast of Corpus Christi at this Mass, and the priest (who was at least 80 years old) spoke of our unity in the Church (he was not referring to East and West but unity as children of God) and that it is through the Eucharist (the Body and Blood of Christ) that we experience this unity. I thought it was very interesting.

Unfortunately, I didn’t quite catch the readings well because of the accent and speed of the reader. Do the Maronite readings follow the same as the Western Church schedule? Looking at it on the USCCB website, it does not appear to follow the same readings.

Also, the Church itself was very beautiful. There was a beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as well as a beautiful large tabernacle.

In Christ,
Bryan

 

[chaldobyzantine]

Greetings,

No, the Trisagion was in English. Although the Aramaic translation was also present in the “missal” (not sure what it’s called here). Actually, it was a very timely Mass for me to attend, because it was the feast of Corpus Christi at this Mass, and the priest (who was at least 80 years old) spoke of our unity in the Church (he was not referring to East and West but unity as children of God) and that it is through the Eucharist (the Body and Blood of Christ) that we experience this unity. I thought it was very interesting.

Unfortunately, I didn’t quite catch the readings well because of the accent and speed of the reader. Do the Maronite readings follow the same as the Western Church schedule? Looking at it on the USCCB website, it does not appear to follow the same readings.

Also, the Church itself was very beautiful. There was a beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as well as a beautiful large tabernacle.

In Christ,
Bryan

The Maronite Church has a different feasts calendar and readings schedule than the Romans. Their synaxarion is more similar to the Syriac Catholic/Orthodox than anyone else.

maronite-heritage.com/LNE.php?page=Gospel%20Readings
maronite-heritage.com/LNE.php?page=Synaxarion

I do find it a bit curious that the trisagion was in English, because even in a mainly Arabic Holy Qurbono, that Aramaic part is always said. The main reason Aramaic is kept in the Maronite Holy Qurbono is to remind Maronites that they have an ancient heritage, a Syriac/Aramaean/Phoenician heritage that is unique amongst the overwhelming Arab culture around them. Very few Maronites know how to speak Syriac compared to Syriacs, Chaldeans, and Assyrians. It’s disappointing that Maronites in Lebanon did not keep speaking it like the Armenians still do there. But I digress too much.

~God Bless

 

[bscastro]

Well, I don’t know if it’s always in English…there were only 6 of us attending Mass, and perhaps the priest saw I was not Lebanese and went for the English version (probably not, but who knows).

I plan on going again sometime, as this time I find I was mainly trying to follow along (although it’s nice we have the same creed and of course the Lord’s Prayer so I didn’t have to read those).

One thing I also found interesting was several times the mentioning on the 4 evangelists. I can’t remember the context, but there seemed to be much honor given to them.

God bless,
Bryan

 

[dzheremi]

It’s disappointing that Maronites in Lebanon did not keep speaking it like the Armenians still do there.

Actually, of all the populations that later lost this language (primarily those of the “Fertile Crescent”, meaning the people of modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, portions of Iran, Turkey, and, by some definitions, Egypt; also, as the major language of international communication between the Middle East and the rest of the world prior to Islam, it was also found in Arabia, Central Asia, Armenia, and China), the Maronites kept it as a spoken language for much longer than most. Kind of makes it worse, doesn’t it?

 

[malphono]

The consecration is typically in Aramaic, that is one of the few parts of the Holy Qurbono that is never in the Vernacular. It’s interesting that the Aramaic consecration is also almost identical to the Chaldean/Assyrian form as well.

The standardized Syriac text (meaning a common text for use with all Anaphorae) of the of the Institution Narrative imposed on the Maronites by Rome in (or around) 1596 was nearly identical with the text imposed by Rome on the Chaldeans at (or around) the same time. The standardized Maronite text was changed somewhat (this time not imposed) in 1992, and I believe the Chaldean version has also undergone some revision as part of the Synodal restoration.

I do find it a bit curious that the trisagion was in English, because even in a mainly Arabic Holy Qurbono, that Aramaic part is always said.
bscastro;9381798:

No, the Trisagion was in English.

It should not have been in English. It’s one of the 3 things that is supposed to be maintained in Syriac. I’d be curious to know where (at least which diocese) this was. But the Novus Ordo-inspired neo-latinizations seem to have won out, so really, who cares any more anyway?

The main reason Aramaic is kept in the Maronite Holy Qurbono is to remind Maronites that they have an ancient heritage, a Syriac/Aramaean/Phoenician heritage that is unique amongst the overwhelming Arab culture around them.

True to an extent, but the Chaldeans are equally surrounded (and dominated, now more thane ever (Saddam was nothing compared to post-texan Iraq but I digress) by Arabs. Plus there are Turks to the north and Persians to the east.

Very few Maronites know how to speak Syriac compared to Syriacs, Chaldeans, and Assyrians. It’s disappointing that Maronites in Lebanon did not keep speaking it like the Armenians still do there. But I digress too much.

Yes, despite the valiant efforts of some monks and some intellectuals, only some few of us have a clue. Yet those of us who do are very strong in our belief. Not that it makes any difference, but here I, too digress (again).

 

[malphono]

One thing I also found interesting was several times the mentioning on the 4 evangelists. I can’t remember the context, but there seemed to be much honor given to them.

Was it a Thursday?

 

[bscastro]

Was it a Thursday?

Yes it was! Does that mean anything? It was also the Feast of Corpus Christi.

 

[Crescentinus]

Unlike Byzantine Rite Catholics, they do not have liturgical spoons.

 

[malphono]

Yes it was! Does that mean anything? It was also the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Traditionally, there are general themes for particular days of the week:

Monday is the commemoration of the Angles,
Tuesday of priests,
Wednesday of the Holy Virgin,
Thursday of the Evangelists,
Friday of the Martyrs, and
Saturday of the Faithful Departed.

This is one thing that still remains, at least during the time after Pentecost. These are somewhat fluid and can be shifted depending on the commemoration of the day according to the synaxarion. And, of course and as one might expect, a major feast always takes precedence.

 

[dzheremi]

Hey Malphono, do you have an online resource for the Maronite Synaxarion? I’d be interested to take a look at it. The ones that I have looked at (like this one) seem very incomplete and somewhat difficult to use…or perhaps I’ve just been spoiled by the searchable Coptic Synaxarium here (which for all I know is also incomplete).

 

[malphono]

Hey Malphono, do you have an online resource for the Maronite Synaxarion? I’d be interested to take a look at it. The ones that I have looked at (like this one) seem very incomplete and somewhat difficult to use…or perhaps I’ve just been spoiled by the searchable Coptic Synaxarium here (which for all I know is also incomplete).

Sorry but I don’t know of anything online beyond what you’ve already found and this one in French.

 

[bscastro]

Traditionally, there are general themes for particular days of the week:

Monday is the commemoration of the Angles,
Tuesday of priests,
Wednesday of the Holy Virgin,
Thursday of the Evangelists,
Friday of the Martyrs, and
Saturday of the Faithful Departed.

This is one thing that still remains, at least during the time after Pentecost. These are somewhat fluid and can be shifted depending on the commemoration of the day according to the synaxarion. And, of course and as one might expect, a major feast always takes precedence.

This is fascinating. Thanks for sharing this.

Yours in Christ,
Bryan

 

[malphono]

Unlike Byzantine Rite Catholics, they do not have liturgical spoons.

Nor do the Chaldeans, nor the SCC, nor the Syro-Malabars, etc. As a matter of fact, not even all Byzantines use the spoon: IIRC, the Melkites abandoned its use sometime in the early 20th century.

 

[MissRose73]

Very interesting things mentioned here. I’ve been raised as a Roman Catholic in the Latin Rites but have never been to an Eastern Catholic Church of any kind.

How do I know what to look for in an Eastern Catholic Church that is communion with the Holy See? Do they have any requirements on Communion reception? Also, are women required to cover their heads and/or dress a certain way?

 

[bscastro]

Very interesting things mentioned here. I’ve been raised as a Roman Catholic in the Latin Rites but have never been to an Eastern Catholic Church of any kind.

How do I know what to look for in an Eastern Catholic Church that is communion with the Holy See? Do they have any requirements on Communion reception? Also, are women required to cover their heads and/or dress a certain way?

Greetings,

I"m no expert, but I just went on the website and they will say so for the most part. As for the Maronites, my understanding is that they have always been in union with the Pope and have never been in schism, so Roman Rite Catholics can receive communion at Maronite Masses (as I did last week).

Perhaps someone else may educate us with regard to other Eastern Rites, but I believe as long as they are “Catholic” (in union with the Holy See) you may receive as long as you are in a state of grace.

God bless,
Bryan

 

[dcointin]

Very interesting things mentioned here. I’ve been raised as a Roman Catholic in the Latin Rites but have never been to an Eastern Catholic Church of any kind.

How do I know what to look for in an Eastern Catholic Church that is communion with the Holy See? Do they have any requirements on Communion reception? Also, are women required to cover their heads and/or dress a certain way?

If I understand you correctly, you’re asking how to determine if a church is in communion with the Catholic Church?

The ordinary preparation for the Eucharist is fasting that morning (i.e. nothing to eat or drink from the time you wake up until you partake, water for medicine and other personal needs not withstanding), recent confession (this varies among parishes so just follow whatever is expected of you as a Roman Catholic), freedom from serious, unconfessed sin (i.e. mortal sin), and preferably some pre-communion devotional prayers.

I don’t believe that any parishes require women to cover their heads persay, but you’ll frequently see that, so it’s a good idea if you’d like to be certain you feel comfortable. Otherwise just dress modestly, with a long skirt (or pants if you don’t own one), long sleeves, and tight around the neck.