And, probably a bit disorienting the first time you attend their liturgy. It simply improves on each visit. It is from Jewish roots that the church of Antioch sprung. In fact, the church of Antioch was founded by St. Peter and it was there that the terms "Christian" and "Catholic" were first used. The first Christians were Jews and entire communities came to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Evidence from archaeological studies of Maronite church buildings show that they had earlier been synagogues.
* The folks there weren't used to outsiders, so we were a bit of a curiosity and several approached us.*
Lol ... this is VERY Maronite! They are the most welcoming community that I have ever visited. They serve refreshments after their liturgies - as is done in many of the Eastern Rite churches. They enjoy meeting visitors and want to know how you found them and did you enjoy the liturgy.
*It turns out that particular Maronite church had several refugees from liberal parishes. Any idea how many folks have switched rites?*
Refugees .... is that how they classified themselves, lol? Some RCs are finally discovering the beauty and majesty of the Eastern Catholic Rites. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. It is not necessary to switch rites.
*We were also wondering, but didn't have the nerve to ask, if any of them would switch back once things get better in the Roman rite.*
I appreciate how confusing this concept can be. Within the one Catholic Church there are in fact many churches which maintain their own traditions of theology, liturgy, spirituality, and government that are quite different from those usually associated with "Roman," or Latin (Western) Catholicism.
The Church began in the East. Our Lord lived and died and resurrected in the Holy Land. The Church spread from Jerusalem throughout the known world. As the Church spread, it encountered different cultures and adapted, retaining from each culture what was consistent with the Gospel. In the city of Alexandria, the Church became very Egyptian; in Antioch it remained very Jewish; in Rome it took on an Italian appearance and in the Constantinople it took on the trappings of the Roman imperial court. All the churches which developed this way were Eastern, except Rome. Most Catholics in the United States have their roots in Western Europe where the Roman rite predominated. It has been said that the Eastern Catholic Churches are "the best kept secret in the Catholic Church."
The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15). Pope John Paul II said that "the Catholic Church is both Eastern and Western."
*Do you think you would switch back? (I'm much bolder on the internet!)*
Well ... I am still a Roman Catholic who attends mass at a Maronite Catholic Church. If you are referring to a canonical switch of rites, let me assure you that this is no simple process. It requires valid justification (escaping a liberal RC bishop does not qualify), the approval of both the Eparchial and Diocesan bishops. It is then forwarded to the Vatican. The applicant then has 6 months time in which to formalize the switch. This is a once in a lifetime event. It cannot be undone.
At my Maronite parish, is a couple who made the canonical switch from Roman to Melkite Catholic. At the time, they were living in PA. When they were transferred to Albany, they found no Melkite Church. The closest they have come is the Maronite Catholic Church, which is where they attend mass on Sunday.
Hope this clarifies any misunderstandings over the differences between the Western and Eastern Rites. Just remember, "catholic" = "catholic", be they Roman, Melkite, Ukrainian, Maronite, Syro-Malabar, etc.
I don't know where this Maronite Church being discussed is, but the one in Los Angeles is very Novus Ordo (Mass in English and facing the people). I wouldn't have been able to differentiate if I was in a novus ordo church until I saw that the Church was more traditionally oriented, i.e., Communion rail, traditional Stations of the Cross, statues, no banners, etc. This goes also for the Chaldean-Assyrian rite, except that it's in Arabic.