[NYer]

Mother of the Light

February 9 is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Maronite Church. Pope Benedict XIV granted a plenary indulgence to everyone who visited a Maronite Chruch on February 9th.

The Maronite Church professes the same faith and beliefs of the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.   It also administers the 7 Sacraments instituted by Christ, and obeys all the moral and dogmatic norms issued by our Holy Father the Pope, the successor of Saint Peter in the Vatican.  The liturgy, itself, is known as the Syriac liturgy of Antioch, ascribed to St. James the Less,  "brother of the Lord", Apostle and first Bishop of Jerusalem.  The ritual formulation expresses the spirit of Eastern monasticism.  The liturgical language used in the Maronite Mass is Syriac-Aramaic, the language spoken by Christ.  Incense is used during the Liturgy to signify that our prayers go heavenward to God as the sweet-smelling smoke of incense rises up.  In the Liturgy, the words of consecration are traditionally chanted in Aramaic, the same language our Lord spoke.  Communion is received by intinction, after the priest dips the Host in the Chalice.   This is the only form prescribed for reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Maronite Church.  Maronites cultivate profound adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, seeing in the Holy Eucharist the Risen Christ who sent to us the Sanctifying Spirit. They are also deeply devoted to Mary, The Mother of the Light, hailing her strength and fidelity in the title of "Cedar of Lebanon."

To locate a Maronite Catholic Church in your community, follow the following link:

Eastern Catholic Churches in the U.S.

[AnAmericanMother]

I didn't know we had a Maronite church in Atlanta.

It's downtown, on Seminole Ave. St. Joseph's.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Thanks for the Link!

I really wish Milwaukee/Southeast WI had a Maronite Church--the closest one (from where I live) is in the SW suburbs of Chicago--about a two hour drive.

[Iris7]

This reminds me of the time after the Israelis withdrew from Lebanon and left their Christian allies to the mercy of Hezbollah and the Syrians.

Lots of things happened during that period but what I remember most vividly was a bomb exploded inside a chapel during Mass. As I recollect the bomb killed 30 - 40 women and children and the Priest. The altar was soaked with blood. There was a picture of the crime scene in the paper, read it, handed it to my wife. All I could say was "Catholic". I am rarely at loss for words.

Regret the Horns of Hattin back in 1187. Guy de Lusignan lost the True Cross that day. What a dink.