I have much respect for the Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome. As a Roman Rite Catholic I love the Roman Latin Church and its traditions and theology than the East, but that is just me personally. However, the East is very beautiful in theology, liturgy, spirituality, and also the way there Churches are built, especially the Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches.
I identify with Eastern Catholicism more than Roman, despite being raised Roman. I pray the Eastern prayers: The office, prayer rule of the theotokos; preferring the liturgical life in the East, as well as the fasting norms.
and will probably do it next year too. I attend Byz and Latin holy day liturgies. Though I’m loving the sacred Byzantine liturgy, learning about the Eastern saints and theology, getting blessed with oil, and blessed bread, I miss the quiet prayer time at the Latin Mass, kneeling (standing is uncomfortable for me), and sometimes miss the choir and organ. You can stay in the Latin church and pray for a while after Mass, and I like that too. I could never give up the rosary, but often say the Jesus prayer on it too. I say the Christian Prayer LOTH right now.There is no need to stop going to Roman liturgies simply because one has an attraction to the East as if there is competition between the two. As a canonical Latin, at a minimum I follow the laws of the Latin Church regarding fasting and Holy Day observations. However, from time to time I also add in practices of the East as well, such as attending their Holy Day celebrations.
The term “Roman Catholic” is often used by Protestants and Eastern Orthodox to describe the whole Holy Catholic Church (in full communion with the reigning pontiff) in order to emphasize 1) that this Holy Church is not the only Catholic church there is (Protestant perspective) or 2) that they believe their church to be the true Catholic church (Eastern Orthodox perspective).
No; the nearest Eastern church is a 44 minute bus ride away (inner city). But I do go occasionally.
technically speaking everyone in our Mission (both Easterners and Westerners) are members of our Roman CAtholic Cathedral b/c that is currently where we have Divine Liturgy (in the chapel).
. We have icons and are in the process of setting up a little icon corn (really it’s a section of our wall). We don’t say the Rosary mainly b/c it was never anything that I was devoted to even when all I knew was the Roman Rite.Good luck w/ your transfer; and I take it, your canonical transfertechnically speaking everyone in our Mission (both Easterners and Westerners) are members of our Roman CAtholic Cathedral b/c that is currently where we have Divine Liturgy (in the chapel).
However my DH and I (and our kids) will be formally transferring to the UGCC later this year. As of Nov 15 2012 we follow the Byzantine way of life (so to speak lol!)…fasting on weds and fridays and during the 4 Fasts; Byzantine holy days; Jesus Prayer; Prayer of ST. Ephraim during Great Lent and always learning learning learning more about the East
I very much identify with the East and my DH is liking it more and more as well. My son loves going to Divine Liturgy (where he helps serve) and hasn’t been to a Mass in a while. By daughters have learned to do the sign of the cross “Byzantine style” especially when we hear anything involving the Trinity
thank youGood luck w/ your transfer; and I take it, your canonical transfer
When we first started attending our Byzantine parish, we kept to the Latin rite customs, fastings (or lack of) and holy days. After about 1 year at the Byzantine parish, we started following the Byzantine calendar and rules on fasting, prayer, etc and never looked back. The reality is that your living life as an Eastern Catholic will usually cover most, if not all, of the requirements that are placed on Latin rite catholics. For example, we abstain from meat on Friday’s throughout the year, not just during lent and thats just one item.
I am registered at and attend a Byzantine Catholic Parish, and it has been my primary parish for probably the last two years, and the majority of my time as a Catholic. I use to serve at the altar every weekend, although I have not served too much lately as school has been busy. I was also president of the school’s campus ministry for a year. Sometimes, such as this weekend, I went to a Roman Mass simply for convenience (although I hate doing this because most Roman liturgies are atrocious).
If the Church calls the entire Church ‘Roman’ sometimes it should stop it. Pope John Paul II had a great image of two lungs for the church. Picture the word CATHOLIC stuck on your forehead, then think of one lung being Roman and the Other being Eastern. It is sometimes listed as GREEK catholic…not because there is one Greek at Liturgy but because the ‘style’ of the worship is Greek just like the ‘style’ of your worship is Roman… unless, of course you think most Roman catholics are actually Roman. And, of course, they are mostly NOT (if any) Roman…unless they are in Rome. In the parish where I am working now, the sign outside the church says: “Melkite-Greek-Catholic”…and there is not one Greek in the place. But the ‘Roman’ catholics down the street think it is filled with Greeks. Much education is needed. For example we just got news that the Pope just approved the election of the new Bishop of Beirut. Imagine Romans talking about the election of a Bishop? The Romans only elect Popes. Lots of healthy discussion here.