Lebanese Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir celebrates mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Posted on 04/14/2005 12:19:23 PM PDT by NYer
Divine Liturgy in the Maronite Rite.
Principal Celebrant: His Beatitude Pierre Nasrallah Cardinal Sfeir,
Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites.
Lebanese Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir celebrates mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Ukrainian Cardinal Lubomyr Husar (L), Lebanese Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir (C), and Syrian Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud attend a mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City April 14, 2005.
Cardinal Pierre Sfeir Nasrallah, Patriarch of the Antioch for Maronites, left, and Cardinal Lubomyr Husar from Ukraine, right, celebrate a Mass for Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, April 14, 2005.
EXPLANATION OF THE MARONITE DIVINE LITURGY AND ITS TRADITIONS.
The Ritual of the Holy Mass according to the Antiochian Maronite Catholic Church that is
celebrated today, has its origins in the ancient rites of the Universal Apostolic Church
established centuries ago by Jesus Christ and by his Apostles. Since establishment of the
Church by Christ, many diverse forms of Christian worship have developed. In the same
period, the rites and customs observed by the Maronites have progressed and flowered into
the form which can be seen on God's Altar today.
Consequently, through periodic reforms in the liturgy since the days of
early Christianity, the Church has attempted to give its faithful a deeper comprehension
of and appreciation for the spiritual meaning of the Mass, and in addition, has tried to
give a better understanding of the spiritual benefits to be derived by those who partake
in the Holy Sacrifice.
In 1992, His Eminence Cardinal and Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir,
has ordered the new edition of the Maronite Mass, ad experimentum for five years.
The most important elements written into the Maronite Mass by the
Patriarch at the time of the decree made April 13, 1973, and in July 1992 are as follows :
In his observance of the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, a priest should
always face the Congregation at those times when he directly addresses the Community or
when he gives a blessing or benediction, and he should turn to the altar when he addresses
or pray to the Lord.
The text of the Mass should be in the vernacular particularly at
those times when the priest speaks to the congregation. However, the words of
Consecration, the Epiclesis (the invocation of the Holy Spirit), as well as certain hymns
and blessings should be spoken in the original Aramaic, the language used by Christ, to
remind the faithful of their Maronite heritage and traditions.
The faithful will bow their heads in accordance with an ancient
Maronite custom rather than genuflect in the roman catholic fashion.
The first part of the Mass, the "preparation of the
faithful", shall consist of prayers, hymns, and readings which will varied according
the seasons of the Church and feast days honoured by our Holy mother Church.
On certain special feast days during the year, such as Ash Monday,
Palm Sunday, Commemoration of the Finding of the Cross, etc., and for weddings, funerals,
and baptisms, a special liturgy appropriate to the occasion will replace the usual prayers
prescribed for the preparation of the faithful.
For those who may have watched the live transmission this morning or are planning to watch the Encore this evening, at one point the camera angles in on Cardinal Arinze who is chanting along with the Maronite choir. It is interesting to note that Arinze's Curial membership includes - Special Council for Africa and Special Council for Lebanon of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops - hence his familiarity with the Maronite chant and liturgy.
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Cardinal Arinze earned the support of every Eastern rite Catholic in the world, if he didn't have it already, by being at this Mass.
I hope to catch this tonight, as I've never seen it before
Before watching it, read through the information at the link posted above, regarding this liturgy. It will make more sense. Keep in mind, too, that this Mass was celebrated in the 'vernacular' of the Maronite homeland, Lebanon, i.e. Arabic. Portions of the liturgy retain their original Syriac and Aramaic, especially the Words of Institution chanted by the Patriarch, using the language and words of our Lord at the Last Supper. This is true in the US, as well, where the 'vernacular' is English but the other portions of the liturgy are in Syriac and Aramaic.
You're in for a very ancient and reverent liturgy. Enjoy!
Interesting read. It is apparent from your post and the linked article that the Maronites have come some distance from the days when the Latin Rite prevailed in Maronites churches. I have a couple of questions. Is the mitre worn by the Patriarch the usual headgear? Is there a Antiochian mitre or crown ever used? I note that the Patriarch is giving out an unleavened host. I didn't know the Maronites were azimites. To the best of my knowledge all other Eastern Rite Churches in communion with Rome use leavened bread. Is there any movement away from the unleavened to the leavened bread in accordance with Eastern tradition?
Is the mitre worn by the Patriarch the usual headgear? Is there a Antiochian mitre or crown ever used?
The Patriarch and Bishops all wear mitres. On closer examination of certain photographs, you may notice a black hood beneath the mitre. This is a symbol of the Maronite descendancy from the monk, St. Maron. The Maronites retain a far simpler form of headgear - no crowns. In public, the Patriarch wears this headgear (no idea what it is called).
I note that the Patriarch is giving out an unleavened host. I didn't know the Maronites were azimites. To the best of my knowledge all other Eastern Rite Churches in communion with Rome use leavened bread. Is there any movement away from the unleavened to the leavened bread in accordance with Eastern tradition?*
The Maronites use unleavened bread. As to any movement away from that, I am not aware. Recall that the Maronites over the centuries learned how to "take and give". In accepting certain changes from the Latins, they gained a seminary in Rome.
Do you plan to watch the replay this evening? These images do little justice to the assemblage of Eastern Rite dignitaries. They even had a Maronite choir, replete with Middle Eastern instruments.
Judging from what I saw, the choir is composed strictly of religious.
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I don't think he had much of a choice in the matter - weren't ALL of the Cardinals present?
Sinkspur has eliminated Cardinal Arinze from the running on two counts - 1) member of the Curia for the past 20 years and 2) a statement by Arinze that "the West is not ready for a black pope."
If we are to believe in Divine intervention then, IMHO, neither one of these arguments flies. What say you?
You're in luck! The program is televised LIVE via the Internet. Go to www.ewtn.com. From the menu bar, click on Television, Live, English, select either Real Audio or Windows Media Player, then the speed. Et voila!
Trust me .. the images posted to this thread do no justice to the actual liturgy. (The difference between how the Latins and Maronites incense the altar immediately caughte my attention. Incense is part and parcel of ALL Maronite liturgies and they have developed this into an enviable skill ;-D).
If you can, DO try to watch it via the Internet. Granted it's not the best but.....
I just tried the site and got a friar talking to some nuns about their ministry...no Maronite liturgy. Did I miss something?
Give it a shot in about 10 minutes. It should be rebroadcast then.
Very few Cardinals of the Roman Rite were present.
Cardinal Arinze is more electable than many want to think.
In my opinion the next Pope must speak Arabic.
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