Liturgy is a Greek word meaning ‘’a public duty’’. In Christian use, it means ‘’the public official prayers and services of the Church.’’ The sacred Liturgy is congregational prayer with its own structure and method. It differs from individual prayer and completes it.
The Rites of the Church
The truths of the Holy Gospel and Sacred Tradition, as well as the essential elements of the liturgy, are the same for all catholic Rites, and this cannot be otherwise. However, the expression, understanding and adaptation of these truths, as related to time, peoples, culture, custom and manner of worship are not all the same. These differences in the Catholic Church constitute her spiritual richness. The Church wants unity but not uniformity in her Rites.
The Maronite Rite
The Maronite Liturgy is the original liturgy which developed Antioch in Aramaic right after the time of the Apostles. This early liturgy was ascribed to St James the Less, the first Bishop of Jerusalem, and was enriched by the hymns and prayers of St Ephrem, James of Sarug and other Fathers of the Antiochean see. The Maronites share this same heritage with the Chaldeans, Syrian Catholics, the Malabarese and Malankarese of India.
Characteristics of the Maronite Liturgy
The Maronite liturgy is rather of a ‘popular’ or public type. The faithful and the servers have a large part in its performance. The music and the chants are usually of uncomplicated structure, and are well-known to the faithful. The prayers and hymns express deeply the feelings and needs of the people.
The languages used in the Maronite Liturgy are ancient Syro-Aramaic for certain fixed parts (the Trisagion, Qadishat aloho; the two approaches to the Altar; and the Consecration of the bread and wine), along with Arabic, and the other local languages of the countries of expansion.
Spiritual Themes
The Maronite liturgy celebrates the Eucharist in the expectation of the coming of the Lord. The Maronites, in their Liturgy, are intensely aware that we are not actually in the glory of the Lord and in the plenitude of His Redemption- that we are awaiting it. On the other hand, they realize in faith that this Sacrament is really rahbouno, a pledge of the glory to come, and zouodo, a viaticum which transforms a person into a pilgrim on the way to his home, ‘’the house of the heavenly Father.’’ Maronite liturgy, therefore, emphasizes the necessity of purification before the return of Jesus Christ. It follows closely the sentiments of the early Christians who were awaiting the Second Coming of the Lord.
The Structure of the Maronite Mass
The Maronite Mass, like any other Mass, includes the Service of the Word, and the Service of the Holy Mysteries (the Eucharist). It can be concelebrated by any number of priests at the Altar together. The bread and wine are prepared by the celebrant right before Mass on a side-table. At ever Mass incense is used to purify and sanctify the people and gifts as they are offered to the Lord.
The Service of the Word always has two readings: from St Paul and the Gospel. There are two lecterns: one for the Epistle; and one for the Gospel, used only by the priest or deacon. This part is led by the priest standing by the side of the Altar.
At the end of the Service of the Word comes the Nicene Creed, said at every Mass; then the Procession of the gifts of bread and wine.
The Major part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is called the Anaphora (equivalent to the ‘Eucharistic Prayer’ in the Latin Rite) conducted at the Altar. At present, there is a choice of six Anaphoras.
The main parts of Mass proceed as in any other Catholic rite: the Anaphora, the Intercessions, our Father, Holy Communion, and final blessing.
The Maronite Liturgical Year
The Maronite Liturgical Year follows the stages of the life of Jesus Christ: His Birth, Passion, Death and Resurrection, and looks to His Return in Glory. It consists of six Seasons:
- Season of Announcements, leading up to Christmas
- Season of Epiphany
- Season of Lent
- Season of Resurrection
- Season of Pentecost
- Season of the Holy Cross, from September 14, to the end of the liturgical Year
The Sacraments
The seven Mysteries, or Sacraments, can be grouped:
- Initiation Mysteries (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist)
- Healing Mysteries (Penance, Anointing of the Sick)
- Commitment Mysteries (Holy Orders, Marriage)
Baptism and Confirmation
Baptism in the Maronite Rite is always accompanied by Chrismation (Confirmation). Both Sacraments are given by a priest, and always in the same ceremony. Baptism is done by immersion or by pouring water over the head.
The Mystery of Crowning (Marriage)
When taking their marriage vows, the couple places their hands on the Bible, and the priest places his stole over their hands. The celebrant blesses the bride and groom in the name of the Holy Trinity and crowns them. In the eastern Churches, the Mystery of |Crowning must include a priestly blessing, for the marriage to be valid.
Sacraments of Holy Orders
The ordination of a deacon, priest or bishop takes place in the Divine Liturgy after the bishop and priests have received Communion and before the people have received Communion. The Bishop places his left hand over the Holy Eucharist which is on the Altar, and his right hand on the candidate’s head. This particular ritual shows the profound link between the priesthood and the Eucharist. There are three processions in the ceremony: first, as he incenses the people whom he is to lead in worship; second, with the Gospel Book, with which he is to preach to the people; third, with the Holy Eucharist in a chalice over his head, the Sacred Mysteries which he will dispense to the people for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Funeral Ceremonies
Maronites farewell the departed from their earthly life with a Funeral Rite (Jinnaz). The main themes covered in these prayers are the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist received by the faithful departed. We also find the themes of Jesus’ Resurrection and other themes for the comfort and condolences of the family members of the deceased. Also, a funeral Mass is allowed when it is desired.
Maronite Devotions and Traditions
The Christmas Novena, Lenten devotions including Stations of the Cross, Holy Week Services, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament are popular Maronite Church rituals. Also, the incensing and blessing with Our Lady’s picture in a special ceremony, or the blessing with the Saint’s icon on the feast of the Saint. The holy Rosary for centuries has been popular in families and groups, at church and at home. Many parishes take a statue of Our Lady to a different home each night in the month of May for the Rosary and Marian devotions.
Only a few characteristics of the Maronite liturgy are mentioned in this article. To appreciate the Sacred Liturgy, it is not enough to read about it; one must see it for oneself, participate in it, and pray it.
