A
Alex_Luciano
Guest
Hi everyone, just wanted to share my thoughts on my first Byzantine-rite divine liturgy. I just got home from Church so it is fresh in my mind. I had been thinking about attending DL for some time but always found an excuse not to go this or that Sunday. I finally made myself the promise that I would go today no matter what. What an enriching experience! It was a small but beautiful Byzantine Catholic church in Orlando, FL (orlandobyzantine.com/) and because it is very close to the main tourist areas there were a lot of people who were obviously latin-rite and were probably a bit freaked out lol, but before the DL the priest, Fr. Sal, graciously explained to all what the Eastern Catholic churches are all about. I was a little “scared” at first since this would be the first time I went into any type of non-RC church in years but literally as soon as I walked in the door a very sweet lady came over to me and gave me a quick explanation of how to follow along. It was very easy. The green book is easy to follow and they provide a pamphlet to help you. I loved all the singing and incense and it was a remarkably simple yet profound liturgy.I know we in latin-rite parishes have the idea that Byzantine worship is terribly complex and elaborate but I felt that everything “flowed” naturally and the plainchant was very easy to follow. I especially loved that confession is provided right before the mass, I wish all parishes had that. I grew up (in Puerto Rico) always having confession available right before mass and miss not having that in Orlando. The liturgy was in English and I was surprised to see that the translation they use for the Nicene Creed is very similar to the one we are going to adopt in the Latin Rite (one in substance…according to…incarnate) and also they say “and with your spirit”. Another thing I loved was that right before communion there is a prayer recited by the people that puts emphasis on the real presence and how we should be spiritually ready to receive:
O Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.
Accept me as a partaker of Your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief I confess to You:
Remember me, O Lord, when You shall come into Your kingdom.
Remember me, O Master, when You shall come into Your kingdom.
Remember me, O Holy One, when You shall come into Your kingdom.
May the partaking of Your Holy mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of my soul and body.
O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly Your most precious body and Your life-giving blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen.
O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.
O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number.
The priest was great also, he went over to people and asked them where they were from and if it was their first time at a Byzantine church he would explain any questions. He sat down with me and answered some of my questions. He was very welcoming as were also the parishioners.I’m very culturally attached to the Roman-rite but I must say that there was a more Catholic feeling at this DL than what I have experienced in the mainly modernist parishes of Orlando. I suppose the art and incense helped create a very sanctified atmosphere that I haven’t experienced in a while. Since most churches in Orlando were built after the 60’s and 70’s very few of them have that very Catholic “feeling” that as a Hispanic I grew up with. I loved every second of it, it was a great spiritual experience and I will definitely go again.
O Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.
Accept me as a partaker of Your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief I confess to You:
Remember me, O Lord, when You shall come into Your kingdom.
Remember me, O Master, when You shall come into Your kingdom.
Remember me, O Holy One, when You shall come into Your kingdom.
May the partaking of Your Holy mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of my soul and body.
O Lord, I also believe and profess that this, which I am about to receive, is truly Your most precious body and Your life-giving blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen.
O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.
O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number.
The priest was great also, he went over to people and asked them where they were from and if it was their first time at a Byzantine church he would explain any questions. He sat down with me and answered some of my questions. He was very welcoming as were also the parishioners.I’m very culturally attached to the Roman-rite but I must say that there was a more Catholic feeling at this DL than what I have experienced in the mainly modernist parishes of Orlando. I suppose the art and incense helped create a very sanctified atmosphere that I haven’t experienced in a while. Since most churches in Orlando were built after the 60’s and 70’s very few of them have that very Catholic “feeling” that as a Hispanic I grew up with. I loved every second of it, it was a great spiritual experience and I will definitely go again.
You’ll see what I mean. I seem to think New Bedford would be the best bet (meaning that its Novus Ordo-isms are somewhat less obtrusive than might be seen elsewhere), but I really don’t know.
The bishop, though, (and to his great credit), was less than receptive to the idea. And then, of course, there’s the matter of versus populum, which you undoubtedly will encounter.