ONE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

R.M. Prioress & Father Vincent with Maronites

Last week we were graced with three MARONITE monks celebrating their most wonderful liturgy with us. They are in the process of establishing a monastery within the archdiocese of Seattle. Prayer will be the main focus of their life.

There are six major traditions of the Catholic Church: Alexandrian, Antiochene, Armenian, Chaldean, Constantinopolitan (Byzantine), and Latin (Roman). The Maronite Church follows the Antiochene Tradition. 

A Roman rite Catholic may attend any Eastern Catholic Liturgy and fulfill their obligations at an Eastern Catholic Parish. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the one, holy Catholic Church.  

The Maronites of Lebanon traditionally trace their origin back to the late 4th century when a group of disciples gathered around the charismatic figure of the monk St. Maron. They later founded a monastery located midway between Aleppo and Antioch and evangelized the surrounding population.

The Maronites came into contact with the Latin Church in the 12th century, when the Latin crusader principality of Antioch was founded. In 1182 the entire Maronite nation formally confirmed its union with Rome. There is a strong tradition among the Maronites that their church never lacked communion with the Holy See.

Although reduced in numbers today, Maronites remain one of the principal ethno-religious groups in Lebanon, with smaller minorities of Maronites also found in Syria, Cyprus, Israel and Jordan and the USA. Maronite immigrants have brought their faith to distant lands, while many still regard Lebanon as their spiritual home.

Sts. Rafqa, Charbel & Hardini

The steady emigration of Maronites from Lebanon in recent years has produced flourishing communities abroad. In the United States, there are two dioceses (Brooklyn, NY and Los Angeles)  with a total of 60 parishes and 99 priests serving about 75,000 faithful.

Three of their saints have been canonized in the past few years: Sts. Charbel, Rafqa and Hardini.

A wonderful movie, done in Lebanese with subtitles and found on YOUTUBE  is: St. Charbel