Inspirations from our Maronite Liturgy

Below are prayer excerpts taken from the opening prayer and prayer of forgiveness in Maronite Liturgy for Thursday of the Mysteries (Holy Thursday) and Sunday of the Glorious Resurrection (Easter Sunday).

Thursday of the Mysteries

O Christ, you are the Word of the Eternal Father, and you became man to save us. You fulfilled the laws of the old covenant to lead us to worship in spirit and in truth. You washed the feet of your apostles to teach us humility and love. You ate the Passover lamb with them, so that you yourself might become our Passover and our Lamb.

We glorify and thank you because you offered yourself for us as an eternal Pascal Sacrifice. You gave us the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist as a pledge of the resurrection and new life.

O Priest and Sacrifice, O Host and Banquet, accept our prayers at this Pascal feast in which you have allowed us to participate, by giving us your Body and your Blood to drink. May we also share in your passion, death, and resurrection, that we may one day meet you at your heavenly banquet.

Sunday of the Glorious Resurrection

Lord Jesus, make us worthy, in the abundance of your grace and mercy, to glorify your resurrection with pure hearts, to celebrate your victory with holy hymns, and to proclaim your might with pure tongues. We thank you for your love and worship you, crying out: “Christ is risen! He is truly risen!”

Let us raise glory, honor and praise to the Living and Immortal One, who gave life to his people by his cross, and salvation to his Church and happiness to his flock by his resurrection…

We worship and praise you. O only-begotten Son. You descended into the darkness of the tombs and worked wonders in the realm of the dead. By your resurrection you freed captives, and by your voice you awakened the righteous and the just who had gone to their rest in the sleep of death. You gathered the nations to worship you and to proclaim your salvation. They rejoice and cry out:

On Friday the King endured pain and was crucified, and today victory has been achieved by his resurrection!

On Friday a lance pierced his side, and today in his compassion the waters of Baptism flow!

On Friday he was crowned with thorns, and today he has crowned his Church with a crown of splendor!

Today is a day of rejoicing in the resurrection.

…O Creator of Life, you have saved us by your passion and have given us life by your resurrection. Now renew our image by your grace. Clothe our bodies with the power of the Spirit, so that we may shine in the robe of glory and in its light see you, the true Bridegroom.

Sharing the Faith in the Year of Faith

We participated in the Chrism Liturgy, Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, Brooklyn NY on March 20, 2013.  Bishop Gregory J. Mansour is assisted by Chorbishop Michael Thomas, Vicar General.

Catechesis at St. Anthony of the Desert, Fall River,  Faith Formation on Sunday, March 17.

Sr. Therese Maria is catechizing on the gift of Holy Communion.

Mother Marla Marie presenting a Lenten reflection to the Daughter of the Cedars from the Maronite parish, Boston.

Pope Francis - a letter from Bishop Gregory

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

What a surprise! What a joy! The Holy Spirit knows how to help guide us, and never leave us orphans.  The past few weeks the Church has shined brightly, even with age old ceremonies, she knows how to live her calling with love and serenity, and how to carefully and respectfully choose a leader in the footsteps of Saint Peter.

The popes that I remember, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and now Francis, are all so very different in personality, in leadership style and in thinking, yet they are all the same in that they are all faithful and obedient to Christ and His Church.  What an inspiration to all of us.  We can truly be ourselves, yet at the same time, be faithful.

It was a particular joy for me to see Pope Francis with his hands at his side looking out at the 150,000 plus people in Saint Peter’s Square. All I could imagine was that here was a man that realized he does not have to impress anyone, all he needs to do is to be faithful to his calling and obedient to the Holy Spirit.  This in itself is enough to inspire all of us.  Let us pray for Pope Francis, the Universal Church, and the world that we too be truly ourselves, and at the same time faithful and obedient to our heavenlycall.

 Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Gregory John Mansour

MYA Lenten Reflection

On Sunday afternoon, March 10, we hosted a Lenten reflection on the Prodigal Son with young adults from the Boston and Brockton Maronite parishes. Mother Marla Marie shared on the importance of the homecoming of the Prodigal Son and his journey of conversion back to the Father. She challenged the group to examine their own lives to see where they have left home and how they can return back to the loving mercy of God’s embrace.

The young men and women joined us for our monthly Ramsho and supper evening at 5:00PM. In addition, guests from the community attended the prayer gathering, including the City Council President of New Bedford, Bruce Duarte. Our next Ramsho and Supper gathering will be Sunday April 14 at 5:00PM. Please RSVP by April 12 via email sister@maroniteservants.org or phone (508) 996-1753.