The Philokalia and The Mass

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Hey_Jude_1994

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This is a two question thread:
  1. Is the Philokalia suitable spiritual reading for a Roman Catholic? I recently came across a copy of “The Way of a Pilgrim” and fell in love with the simple peasant’s way of life and his love for God. His devotion to the Scriptures and the spiritual reading of the Philokalia was inspiring. I know the book is primarily used in the Orthodox Church, but I was wondering if it’s acceptable for a Roman Catholic.
  2. I would love to attend the Liturgy of an Eastern Rite Catholic Church. What Rites are found in the United States that I could take part in? I’m not very well versed in Eastern Rites, so I don’t know the differences to be honest.
 
The Philokalia is mainly pre-schism spiritual writings, so certainly. But be warned: The Philokalia is Christianity on hard mode and you cannot simply dive in without proper spiritual preparation and guidance.

Byzcath.org has a directory of all EC parishes in America.
 
Hey_Jude_1994 said:
This is a two question thread:
2. I would love to attend the Liturgy of an Eastern Rite Catholic Church. What Rites are found in the United States that I could take part in? I’m not very well versed in Eastern Rites, so I don’t know the differences to be honest.
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As MarcusAndreas said, byzcath.org will be a great resource for you. Congratulations on finding the East. Whether you find your home in the east or the west, exploring both sides will strengthen your faith.
 
Hey_Jude_1994 said:
  1. I would love to attend the Liturgy of an Eastern Rite Catholic Church. What Rites are found in the United States that I could take part in? I’m not very well versed in Eastern Rites, so I don’t know the differences to be honest.
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The Eastern Catholic Churches are fully Catholic and any Catholic may attend and receive the Eucharist there. Here is a list of all 22 Churches:

Alexandrian liturgical tradition; 2 sui iuris Churches
  1. Coptic Catholic Church
  2. Ethiopian Catholic Church
Antiochian or West-Syrian liturgical tradition; 3 sui iuris Churches
3. Maronite Catholic Church
4. Syriac Catholic Church
5. Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

Armenian Rite; 1 sui iuris Church
6. Armenian Catholic Church

Chaldean or East Syrian liturgical tradition; 2 sui iuris Churches
7. Chaldean Catholic Church
8. Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

Byzantine (Constantinopolitan) liturgical tradition; 14 sui iuris Churches
9. Albanian Greek-Catholic Church
10. Belarusian Greek Catholic Church
11. Bulgarian Greek Catholic Church
12. Byzantine Church of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro
13. Greek Byzantine Catholic Church
14. Melkite Greek Catholic Church
15. Hungarian Greek Catholic Church
16. Italo-Greek Catholic Church
17. Macedonian Greek Catholic Church
18. Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic
19. Russian Catholic Church
20. Ruthenian Catholic Church
21. Slovak Greek Catholic Church
22. Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
 
I read from the Philokalia frequently. A good spiritual director is advised. Have a blessed and happy new year.

Peace
 
Hey_Jude_1994 said:
This is a two question thread:
  1. Is the Philokalia suitable spiritual reading for a Roman Catholic? I recently came across a copy of “The Way of a Pilgrim” and fell in love with the simple peasant’s way of life and his love for God. His devotion to the Scriptures and the spiritual reading of the Philokalia was inspiring. I know the book is primarily used in the Orthodox Church, but I was wondering if it’s acceptable for a Roman Catholic.
  2. I would love to attend the Liturgy of an Eastern Rite Catholic Church. What Rites are found in the United States that I could take part in? I’m not very well versed in Eastern Rites, so I don’t know the differences to be honest.
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There may not even be an EC parish in your city; there is none in mine (pop. 279000).

I’ve been once to a Maronite Mass in my previous hometown. Probably won’t be doing so again as the nearest Maronite parish is now 150 miles away; but definitely worth doing at least once.

ICXC NIKA.
 
I have read both the Philokalia which means love of the beautiful and good. There are 5 volumes and only so far 3 volumes that are in English. The way of a Pilgrim is good spiritual reading. So far I have not heard from any priest or bishop in the Catholic Church that says a Catholic cannot read them. The Philokalia is hard reading and very hard to do spiritually wise, However that being said, it is worthwhile reading and certainly one can gain from the reading of it.
 
spina1953 said:
I have read both the Philokalia which means love of the beautiful and good. There are 5 volumes and only so far 3 volumes that are in English. The way of a Pilgrim is good spiritual reading. So far I have not heard from any priest or bishop in the Catholic Church that says a Catholic cannot read them. The Philokalia is hard reading and very hard to do spiritually wise, However that being said, it is worthwhile reading and certainly one can gain from the reading of it.
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Volume 4 was published a few years ago, I’m told volume 5 is in the works.
 
Although the Philokalia is certainly very highly recommended reading, as others have pointed out it is best to prepare oneself to read it. The saints actually mention two ways in which one can prepare oneself.
  1. The best way, most certainly, is to have a spiritual father/mother who is experienced in the spiritual life and can guide you while reading the Philokalia and practicing the teachings contained there.
  2. In the absence of a spiritual father/mother, one ought to read writings from saints who are closer to one’s time and geographical location. Sts. Ignatius Brianchaninov and Theophan the Recluse recommend reading the writings of the Russian mystics before turning to the Philokalia. I personally would suggest starting with the writings of the two above mentioned saints, then move on to the short “introductions” written by St. Basil P. (I can’t spell his last name), the spiritual father of St. Paisius Velichkovsky.
Also suggested in the absence of a spiritual father/mother is to gather around oneself a group of like-minded Christians who can act as support and hold you accountable.

Another suggestion that I would make would be not to try and tackle the entire Philokalia at once. There is a great abridgement of the Philokalia done by St. Theophan the Recluse. The English title is “Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart.” It’s primary focus is on the spirituality of the Jesus Prayer. The book “The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology” is also a wonderful resource that I can’t recommend highly enough. I’ve read through “The Art of Prayer” a couple of times now, and I keep coming back to it.
 
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