Information on the Maronite Catholic Church
This text is from a welcome paper at the church:
Will anything be different from a typical Roman Catholic Mass?• Instead of Latin, Aramaic (the language of Christ) will be used at times during the Liturgy, but the majority will be in English.• Kneeling is not part of the Maronite Liturgy.• The Sign of Peace is not shared by a handshake. Similar to lighting many candles from the same source of fire, the Sign of Peace (referred to as the Kiss of Peace) will be passed from the Altar to the altar servers, who will then go to "pass" it to each pew.
When the server comes to your pew, it will then be passed from person to person down the pew. The manner in which it is passed is with folded hands. When receiving, one will put their hands around the hands of the passer to "take" it and "pass" it on to the next person to their side.
• The Trisagion "Holy God, Holy Immortal One, Holy Strong One" is used in all Eastern Churches. The Maronite Trisagion will be sung in Aramaic/Syriac.• Communion is received on the tongue, not in the hand. Before receiving, the arms are crossed over the body to touch your shoulders. In the Roman Rite this has been known as the sign for not receiving Communion, but in the Maronite Rite it means the opposite. If you would not like to receive Communion, ask the priest for a blessing and bow your head. Do not receive Communion if you are not Catholic. If you are Catholic, it is strongly recommended to come early for Confession in order to receive the Eucharist in a state of grace.