The Maronite Patriarchate of Antioch (2)

His Beatitude Béchara Bourtos Raï, Patriarch of Antioch for Maronites
The centuries-old connection that exists between Lebanon, the main country of residence for the Maronites, and the West—especially France—has largely contributed to a Latinization of the Maronite Rite. The most striking example is the way the priest vests for Mass.
He uses the same vestments as in the Latin Rite, with the exception of the maniple, since the Maronite priest wears two of them which are shorter. This is surprising for Eastern Catholic priests, who wear a cope for Mass.
However, their rite is indeed of Antiochene, or Syro-Western, origin. The language used in the liturgy is Syriac or Arabic, the latter being used more often since it is the language of the country. But the Consecration is always said in Syriac.
Their liturgy has about 30 anaphoras (Canon texts). The choice is left to the celebrant. The most commonly used is the “Anaphora of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, Mother of all the Churches.”
Here are some notable points of the liturgy of the Mass:
- Upon his arrival at the altar, after placing the Chalice and the paten there, the priest bows three times to form a cross, and recites the following prayer: “I will go to the altar of God, of God who gives joy to my youth. I have entered Your house, and have prostrated myself before Your throne; O heavenly King, forgive me all the sins, all the faults committed against You.”
- There are five censings, which are made even in Low Masses.
- In one of them, before the Offering of the Bread and Wine, the priest incenses the sacred vessels (Chalice and paten). To do this, the minister presents the open censer; the priest imposes incense; and immediately, he takes the Chalice and the paten which he turns and places above the smoke of the incense.
- In another, he incenses the holy Offerings and recites the Psalm Miserere, which is perfectly suited to express the spirit of penitence and the offering of sacrifice.
- The formulas of blessings are sometimes surrounded by a solemnity: taking a cross from which ribbons hang, the priest turns toward the people and blesses them three times, extending his arms between each of these blessings.
- The peace of the Lord is, as in all Eastern Rites, given by the priest who kisses the veil of the Chalice, lays his hand on the altar, on the Chalice and the Host; then places it in that of a server who had previously knelt to the right of the priest and extends his hand in a gesture of supplication. This server then goes on to give this peace received from the altar to all of the other faithful.
- The end of the Maronite Mass is particularly touching; it happens in three stages:
- The priest dismisses the people with this wish:
“Go in peace, beloved brothers. We entrust ourselves to the grace of God, to the most holy Trinity.” - Then he gives the blessing:
“May the blessing of Our Lord Jesus Christ come down from heaven upon you and upon me.” - Finally, he takes leave of the altar, saying:
“Stay in peace, O holy altar. May I in peace return to you...and, acquitted of my debts, not be confounded when I appear before the throne of Christ, on the day of judgment.
“Stay in peace. I do not know if I will again be able to return to you to celebrate the holy Mysteries.”
This final prayer should remind us that we must assist at Mass and love it as if it were the last act for which God grants us the grace to participate.
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(Source : La Porte Latine – FSSPX.Actualités)
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