Passion Week in the Maronite Tradition - Explained

(Taken from Aboona Anthony J. Salim's explanation in his parish bulletin of St. Theresa, Brockton MA)

Service (Teshmeshto) of the Coming to the Harbor

This Service and the Wednesday Service (Teshmeshto) of the Lamp are ancient and authentic liturgical services that had fallen into disuse in the last few hundred years. They were revived and published in the US several years ago. Our Great Fast has two parts: the Lenten Fast, from “Ash Monday” to Saturday before Hosanna Sunday, and the Passion Week Fast that begins today and ends on Saturday of the Awaited Light (“Holy Saturday”). The prayers of today’s rich service speak of our pre-Easter journey of fasting, which is now coming to an end as we enter the Fast of Passion Week. We are sailing in the spiritual ship through stormy waters to the “Harbor of Safety,” lighted by the Beacon of the Resurrection, which we will reach in a week, on Pascha-Easter.

This second “new” Service (Tesmeshto) centers on the symbols of light (knowledge and faith) and strength (oil). The prayers reflect the Psalms and there is an anointing of the forehead with the blessed oil. The reminder of the oil may be taken home for use in holiday baking.

Thursday of the Holy Mysteries
Qoorbono (Holy Eucharist) and Ritual of the Washing of the Feet.

This traditional Service (Tesmeshto dQoorbono) commemorates Jesus’ Institution of the Holy Eucharist (in Latin-rite terms, the First Mass) and dramatizes the Gospel of John by the washing of the feet of 12 parishioners representing the Apostles. Jesus’ humble ministering to others is highlighted. This is also a fine day to remember those young children who will receive the Lord on Holy Communion in a few weeks. All parishioners are encouraged to attend, of course, but the families of the First Communicants especially ought to come to this Service.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Holy Eucharist is reserved for adoration and will be used at the Service (Teshmeshto) of the “Signing of the Chalice” on the next day.

Great Friday of the Crucifixion (Obligatory Fast and Abstinence)
12:00 noon: Anaphora (Greek for “Eucharistic Prayer”) of the Signing of the Chalice (“Pre-Sanctified Liturgy”) with Holy Communion.
This service is one of the most ancient in the Church. It is called “Pre-Sanctified” because it uses the Sanctified Host from the night before (Eucharist and Washing of the Feet). There is therefore no consecration of a new host; however, there is an epiklesis (Greek for “calling down”) of the Holy Spirit over the wine, to change it into the Blood of Christ. Into this is dropped a portion of the (Pre-sanctified) Body of Christ. The symbolism here is deep, stemming from ancient Jewish thought. Namely, as body and blood are separated, death occurs. Therefore, when they are reunited, new (Eucharistic), grace-filled life is evident to the eyes of faith as we receive Holy Communion.

Service of the Burial of the Lord

A scriptural and liturgical meditation Service (Teshmeshto) on the Death of the Lord, Eastern-Church style. Flowers, which have been brought by the Faithful will placed into the Shroud for the Burial Procession. These will be seen on Pascha-Easter as symbols of the New Creation in the Risen Lord (see Rev 21:1) As the Faithful pass under the Shroud, we heed the idea of St. Paul and the early Church that “If we die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord” (see Rom 14:8).

Saturday of the Awaited Light

Service (Tesmeshto) of Forgiveness (Penance Service & Confessions).

This is basically a communal Penance Service (Tesmeshto dHoosoyo) with individual confessions. The Service is timed to end at noon, which signals the end of the Great Fast. In fact, the Service ends with the traditional Pascha greeting: “Christ is risen!” with the faith-filled reply: “He is truly risen!” In Lebanon, the bells of the churches ring joyfully at noon.

Saturday Vigil for Easter Sunday

First Qoorbono (Divine Liturgy) of the Resurrection, with blessing of Easter baskets and distribution of flowers.

Great Sunday of the Resurrection
Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection with the “Ceremony,” or Service (Teshmeshto), or “’Rite’ of Peace, followed by distribution of flowers and egg cracking and sharing

Visiting Worcester - MA

By Sister Therese Maria

On April 10th, the Maronite Servants had a blessed visit at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mother Marla Marie spoke at the conclusion of the Liturgy about our mission as Maronite Servants and the important need of praying for and supporting religious and priestly vocations among our Church family. Father Paul Mooradd, pastor of the Worcester parish, graciously welcomed us and invited us to share in the lenten lunch which followed the Liturgy in the parish hall. All the proceeds from the lunch were generously donated to our mission. We are grateful to Fr. Paul and the parishioners for their goodness, generous hospitality and support of our mission.



Latest Events

Blessing of the Oils - Brooklyn

On Monday 4th April, we joined our Maronite faithful at the noon Liturgy of the Blessing of the Oils at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Gregory Mansour and concelebrated by Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi, Chorbishop Michael, Chorbishop Beggiani, Chorbishop Kaddo, Chorbishop Peter Azar, Fr. Jim Root (Rector of the Cathedral) and about twenty priests from the Eparchy.

The Sisters join with the parish of St. Anthony/St. George from Wilkes Barre
where Father Karam is the pastor (pictured right).

Ordination to the Subdiaconate

The Sisters pictured with Subdeacon Camille Jean Atallah.

On April 3^rd, we attended the ordination to the  Subdiaconate of Camille Jean Atallah  at Our Lady of Lebanon, Waterbury, CT. The ordination was conferred by Chorbishop Seely Beggiani, rector at the Maronite Seminary in Washington DC., and concelebrated by Fr. Jack Morrison, Fr. Naji Kiwan, pastor, Fr. David George and other priests from the area.



Foster Vocations in the Parish

By Sister Marla Marie Lucas

"Proposing Vocations in the Local Church" is the theme of a letter written by Pope Benedict XVI for the 48th World Day of Prayer for Vocations to be celebrated on May 15, 2011. The Holy Father calls on parishes and the wider community to make it a priority to foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He writes, “It is essential that every local Church become more sensitive and attentive to the pastoral care of vocations, helping children and young people in particular at every level of family, parish and associations – as Jesus did with his disciples.”



Abouna Anthony Salim, pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Brockton with
youth at the Valentine Breakfast hosted by the parish MYO.



He also calls on the Christian community to assist men and women who are being called to serve the Church, especially since they face struggles and resistance in our secularized society. “Particularly in these times, when the voice of the Lord seems to be drowned out by ‘other voices’ and his invitation to follow him by the gift of one’s own life may seem too difficult, every Christian community, every member of the Church, needs consciously to feel responsibility for promoting vocations.”

The Holy Father, first and foremost, urges that parishes and families pray for vocations. “Vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life are first and foremost the fruit of constant contact with the living God and insistent prayer lifted up to the ‘Lord of the harvest’, whether in parish communities, in Christian families or in groups specifically devoted to prayer for vocations.”

In addition, he stresses the need to embrace those who have recognized the “call” with the embrace of the parish family. “It is important to encourage and support those who show clear signs of a call to priestly life and religious consecration, and to enable them to feel the warmth of the whole community as they respond ‘yes’ to God and the Church.”

Perhaps your parish can highlight this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations by offering at least one opportunity to respond to the Holy Father’s teaching. Here in the US, our young Maronites have the opportunity to offer their lives in service to the Church as a priest or consecrated religious nun or monk. Prayers for vocations are available on our US Maronite Vocations website, www.vineyardofthelord.com. Also available on this website are video and print resources promoting vocations.