Despite traveling 8 hours yesterday to pick up his mother who had just arrived from Lebanon, Father stayed up the remainder of the night in order to say the Maronite Divine Liturgy. The church which sponsored this devotion, is beautiful beyond description. All of its windows come from the Tiffany studios. The reredos that houses the altar, is topped with illuminated spires. Above the Tabernacle, a beautiful Crucifix over which is suspended a magnificent white marble Paraclete. Stepping into this church at 2:30am was like walking into heaven.
Abouna delivered a beautiful and powerful homily on the Blessed Mother as mediator between us and her Son. He noted that some accuse us of idol worship and explained that since the earliest days of the church, devotion to the Blessed Mother has always been there. He also noted that if you look at an icon of the Blessed Mother, she is holding her Son - one image - and she always points to Him. He mentioned that many centuries ago, the monks would celebrate mass at the "Holy" hour of 3am. That brought smiles to all assembled, as he acknowledged their presence.
This is the first time I have ever attended the vigil but I plan to return again next year.
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**like walking into heaven. **
Every time we step into any Church -- any Mass -- it is like walking into heaven. Because we are there united with the angels and saints praising our Most Blessed Lord in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.