Monday, May 22, 2006

I prayed in Aramaic (the language of Jesus)!


I am always inspired by the enthusiasim of the pilgrims from Lebanon! Did you know that most of Lebanon is Catholic? They remain a cradle of Christianity in the Middle East! As many know, there are many seperate Catholic rites which differ in language, music and ceremonial movements from the Roman liturgy. The Liturgy of Antioch is the rite employed by the Maronites (Catholics in Lebanon). This distinctive Syro-Maronite Rite is ascribed to Saint James the Apostle! And, for the words of consectation, they still use the Aramaic (Syriac) language that Jesus spoke when he was living in the Terra Sancta (Holy Land)! To hear the Holy Mass in the Maronite Rite sung or read is so very, very special! They have two Maronite chapels in Rome!

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