DeoQuest
What is the structure of the Maronite rite?
Eastern Catholics
DeoQuest | Eastern Catholics
What is the structure of the Maronite rite?
Maronite liturgy has its roots in the Old Testament liturgy. The modern Maronite rite consists of three parts.
Preparation: Bread and wine are prepared at a side table. Then the priest and faithful prepare themselves: they ask God to forgive their sins and to help them celebrate the liturgy well. This is followed by readings from Scripture, a homily and the profession of faith.
Anaphora: During the prayer called Anaphora, bread and wine are presented to God, and become the Body and Blood of Jesus. Like in the Latin rite, follows a prayer of thanksgiving and the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
Communion: At this point the faithful receive the body and blood of Christ, which is usually distributed using a spoon. The liturgy is concluded with prayers of thanksgiving and blessing.
