In advance of the Feb. 9 feast day of St. Maron, the first patriarch of the Maronite rite, Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun recently joined “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley to discuss the Maronite branch of Catholicism.
If Latin Rite Catholics attend a Maronite liturgy — to which Chorbishop Maroun extended an invitation to either his parish, St. Maron in Minneapolis, or Holy Family in Mendota Heights — he said they would find a unique experience.
Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun
“You are able to witness the liturgy in an Eastern way but at the same time it is deep, but it is simple,” he said. “You’ll be able to understand the liturgy quickly … and be able to hear lots of parts (in) Aramaic … the words of consecration, the call of the Holy Spirit that’s used in the language that Jesus spoke.”
When the priest carries the Eucharist at the consecration, he uses “the same exact words that Jesus spoke with his Apostles in the Last Supper,” Chorbishop Maroun said.
He said a guest would also hear “lots of chanting, smell lots of incense and witness beautiful music” with origins in the fourth and fifth centuries.
The Feb. 9 feast of St. Maron will be celebrated the weekend of Feb. 13 at St. Maron in Minneapolis, but unfortunately for parishioners and guests accustomed to the celebration’s inclusion of Middle Eastern food, it will not include a dinner this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about St. Maron and Maronite traditions, and to hear Chorbishop Maroun’s definition of “chorbishop,” listen to the full interview. It debuts at 9 p.m. Feb. 4 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and also airs at 1 p.m. Feb. 5 and 2 p.m. Feb. 6.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Mary Ann Kuharski, director of Prolife Across America, who describes the effects of abortion on women and how individuals can offer support beforehand; and Angie Neumann, spiritual director at St. Joseph in West St. Paul, who provides insight on the value of spiritual directors.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at
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