Not sure. I was Married in A Maronite church. They have some traditions that would indicate, that, that is the case. We sat on thrones on the alter, and were adorned with a crown of holly. I think that the Maronite clergy are allowed to wed. I may be wrong, but I could swear that is the case.
Loved the church, and the Priest. Fr Sharbul. I try to attend once A month, It’s an hour away. The Maronites are no nonsense Catholics, they do not suffer progressive thought, and show no fear while spreading the gospel in the middle east. If there is a Maronite church near you, I would highly recommend a visit.
Thanks for all the detailed input and your encouragement.
The Mystery of Crowning!
The bride and groom each declare publicly their commitment to each other. After their exchange of vows and with their hands joined, the priest offers a blessing in the name of the Church. He declares that the bride and groom are joined in marriage in the name of the Trinity. The blessing then develops the biblical theme of covenant. It understands covenant as a solemn and abiding pledge. It recalls the covenant by which God created the heavens and the earth, and the covenants between Sarah and Abraham, Rebecca and Isaac, and Rachel and Jacob -- that nothing shall separate them but death.
In former times, rings often contained one's personal seal and were used to certify documents. The seal stood for the person. This theme is found in the blessing of the wedding rings, where the priest prays that these rings represent the seal and protection of Christ in whose image the bride and groom are. It prays that the rings be "a wall of protection for their bodies, and shield them from all harm". The rings are then placed on the fingers of the groom and bride.
Christian mysteries often integrate ancient practices. Marriage through the centuries and in various cultures has developed a variety of customs. Certainly marriage symbolizes fertility and the exuberance of God's creation. Flowers and wearing flowers as a crown are an ancient practice. In the context of Christian marriage, crowning can be seen to represent Christ and His kingdom. Just as the groom and the bride symbolize Christ and His Church, so they also represent the kingship of Christ and His kingdom.
The prayer blessing the marriage crowns first develops the theme of crowning and creation, how flowers crown the earth, stars crown the heavens and the sea enriches the land. It also sees crowning as a symbol of divine vocation and speaks of holy kings, priests and prophets being crowned. In crowning the groom, the priest prays for God's blessing on him. When crowning the bride, the priest recalls the great women of the Old Testament and prays that she receive the crown of glory. He petitions that she be adorned with the fruits of the Spirit and "flourish as a blessed vine in the midst of the Church." The witnesses are crowned as representing the whole community which is partaking in the event of blessed joy.
A hymn in the meter of St. Ephrem is chanted. It declares that Christ sealed His covenant with His Bride, the Church, in the upper room when He gave her His Body and Blood. Christ invites all those who are worthy to His wedding banquet which symbolizes our destiny to be with Him in heaven. In coming and seeking the blessing of the Church, the bride and groom are foreshadowing Christ's heavenly banquet. The Service of the Eucharist, which is the ultimate celebration of Christ's love and His call for unity, completes and perfects the celebration of the mystery of marriage.
The mystery of marriage teaches us that human love and the full range of love between husband and wife has a sacred dimension. Love that seeks the good of the other, to protect and support the other, love that perseveres, love that is never withheld or compromised, love that is loyal and never betrays, love that is unselfish discloses to the one committed to that love the mystery and presence of God Himself.
I think that the Maronite clergy are allowed to wed. I may be wrong, but I could swear that is the case.
Like all the Eastern Churches, the Maronites allow married men to become priests (note the difference ;-). Speaking to the 11th General Synod Fathers, gathered for their eighth meeting at the Vatican in 2005, Cardinal Nasrallah Pierre Sfeir, who is Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites in Lebanon--a Catholic rite which allows for married priests--addressed the issue of celibacy.
Vatican City, Oct. 07, 2005 (CNA) - The Cardinal defended the practice of the celibate priesthood and discussed the beauty of the tradition, calling it the "most precious jewel in the treasury of the Catholic Church."
While pointing out that "the Maronite Church admits married priests" and that "half of our diocesan priests are married", the Cardinal Patriarch said that "it must be recognized that if admitting married men resolves one problem, it creates others just as serious."
"A married priest", he said, "has the duty to look after his wife and family, ensuring his children receive a good education and overseeing their entry into society. ... Another difficulty facing a married priest arises if he does not enjoy a good relationship with his parishioners; his bishop cannot transfer him because of the difficulty of transferring his whole family.
He noted that "married priests have perpetuated the faith among people whose difficult lives they shared, and without them this faith would no longer exist."
"On the other hand," he said, "celibacy is the most precious jewel in the treasury of the Catholic Church,"
Lamenting a culture which is all but outright opposed to purity, the Cardinal asked: "How can [celibacy] be conserved in an atmosphere laden with eroticism? Newspapers, Internet, billboards, shows, everything appears shameless and constantly offends the virtue of chastity."
Suggesting that there are no easy solutions to the problem of priest shortages in the Church--an oft brought up point during the Synod--he noted that, "Of course a priest, once ordained, can no longer get married. Sending priests to countries where they are lacking, taking them from a country that has many, is not the ideal solution if one bears in mind the question of tradition, customs and mentality. The problem remains."
Hence, the policy of the Patriarch is to not send married priests to the diaspora. Our previous pastor was bi-ritual (Maronite and Latin Rites) and celibate. Our new pastor is a religious order priest on loan to the Eparchy of St. Maron for 6 years. He too is celibate. We joked at dinner the other night that for so many decades, the western church sent missionaries out to evangelize. Now the US is consider "mission territory" and the missionaries come to serve us. What a blessing to have this young and extremely devout priest. He is only 33!
Loved the church, and the Priest. Fr Sharbul. I try to attend once A month, It’s an hour away.
Which parish is it? We have parishioners who drive an hour each week to attend liturgy. The Maronite priests are indeed no nonsense. Here is a link to our parish web site which is still being uploaded.
St. Ann Maronite Catholic Church
Enjoy the visit, albeit limited.