No ... thank you! Sorry you never inquired sooner.
While my dear friend, Kolokotronis, would argue that the Maronites are the most 'latinized' of all the Eastern Catholic Churches (and he would be right :-), the experience has been a veritable blessing! Experiencing a chanted liturgy, seeing incense waft heavenward, watching a priest make profound bows before the Tabernacle, hearing him chant the words of Consecration in Aramaic - the language of Christ, receiving communion by intinction and on the tongue, celebrating the major feasts with profound reverence and lyrical prayers that reach deep into the soul - ALL of this has stilled the 'inquietude' (sorry, sometimes French words work best) I felt each and every week, attending Mass at my former RC parish. And, there was no escape. Those RC parishes in this diocese that still maintained some semblance of reverence, are few and far between. My original list contained 4 parishes that have since been closed by the bishop.
I would have hung on and fought the abuses, but no one was willing to join me in the battle. They preferred to keep the priest than address the abuses. That left me to battle in the arena, alone. I have no regrets. The Maronite Catholic Church has not only been an oasis in the middle of an arrid desert, it has also nourished my soul with its prayers. In December 2005, our Maronite Bishop celebrated the Divine Liturgy recognizing our parish's centennial. At a reception that evening, out of the clear blue, he suggested that I pray the Maronite Divine Office. This was sheer inspiration on his part and he could not have found a more willing heart. Since then, I have faithfully said the Office each morning (evenings are more challenging because of work hours) and when I neglect to say these prayers, my heart and soul 'feel' the loss. They bring such comfort, joy and inspiration - like food for the soul. I am blessed with an awesome Bishop and parish priest.
She left out the part about the Lebanese, being first cousins to us Greeks, are far nicer people with much better food (ducking)! :)
No doubt, K, we both enjoy the essence of lemon, mint and thyme in the preparation of our dishes ;-). Both cuisines are sumptuous and without equal in the American diet. (how's that :-).
Trisham, if you are ever afforded the opportunity to attend an Eastern Catholic liturgy, please avail yourself of it. When RCs ask my Abouna about the differences between the Latin and Maronite liturgies, he replies with: "Same faith; different flavor". He is absolutely right!
"No doubt, K, we both enjoy the essence of lemon, mint and thyme in the preparation of our dishes ;-)."
And "rigani", don't forget the "rigani"! And the pistachios and the truly sublime liquid essences of orange and rose blossoms!
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I will. Thank you so much for your recommendation. I had no idea.