History of the Maronites

The Maronite Liturgy The Maronite Rite is one of 22 rites within the one, universal Catholic Church. The Maronite Church professes the same faith and beliefs of the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. It also administers the seven Sacraments instituted by Christ, and obeys all the rules and ordinances issued by our Holy Father the Pope, the successor of Saint Peter in the Vatican. The only difference between the Maronite Church and the Roman Church is in the Divine Liturgy. The ritual formulation expresses the spirit of Eastern monasticism. The liturgical language used in the Maronite Mass is Syriac-Aramaic, the language spoken by Christ. Incense is used during the Liturgy to signify that our prayers go heavenward to God as the sweet-smelling smoke of incense rises up. This Rite is the only one in which the words of consecration are traditionally chanted in Aramaic, the same language our Lord spoke at the First Mass of the Last Supper. Communion is received by the faithful in the mouth, after the priest dips the Host in the Chalice.