www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Having a Divine Liturgy at my school

The deacon at the Melkite parish I go to suggested we have a Divine Liturgy at my high school (a Roman Rite school, and we have a school-wide Mass every month, the whole school has to go). So I asked the priest, he said he would like to do it. A few worries though. A. I would say 95% of the kids at my school have never been to a Divine Liturgy or have never heard the term (I can tell just by talking to them. B. Not everyone is Catholic (25% isn't. Not that this should keep us from practicing our faith, ever, but it is much easier for Protestants to follow along at a Mass than a Divine Liturgy, I'm sure). C. Since so few have been to a Divine Liturgy, people are going to have little idea of how to reply and whatnot. and D. The place we normally have Mass is in the gym, as it is the only place large enough to hold the whole school. Problem with this is that people sit in the stands, which face each other. So, the people wouldnt be directly behind the priest, but behind and off to his sides. Is that a problem?

Thanks for any info and help you can provide!

-Andrew

Andrew,

What I have to say is suggestions only, and can be ignored if you so chose.

A.) From what I know from some Catholic High Schools in the area, some preparation can be done by your Melkite priest, using the forum of the religous education classes for several weeks in advance. Also the music teacher can be enlisted to help with music and responses.

B.) Have the priest do a "teaching" Divine Liturgy. We have done these for our camps, and what it would involve is doing the proskomedie for all to see outside the altar, with the priest explaining what is being done. The Liturgy would be preceded by an introduction, and the homily if done after the gospel can focus on the remainder of the liturgy.

C.) The only thing that can happen by your reservations, is to allow ignorance of the Byzantine Churches among the Roman Catholics. If you educate now, who knows who can help promote the cause of the Eastern Churches later?

I hope this helps you a little.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

I agree with Fr. Anthony. We've done this for Roman Catholic parishes (actually replacing their Saturday night Mass with the Divine Liturgy). Bring a cantor who can help with the most common responses (Lord have mercy and the two meolodies that the Melkites use for this). Don't provide pew books -- let them experience this without the distraction of trying to find out where they are.

Do the liturgy all in English without any Arabic (Greek is okay because there's really only a couple of expressions, and "Kyrie eleison" should be familiar to them.

This is a great learning experience and I hope it comes about!

Fr. Deacon Edward

Thanks, both of you!

One thing I question though: Remember, we are talking about teens, and at my school anyways, a vast majority of the Catholics are involved in LifeTeen, and they have little interest for ancient liturgies (I'm a guy who like the Tridentine or a Latin Novus Ordo better than a regular Novus Ordo, go figure ). I mean, not much of the school participates as it is in the replies for the Novus Ordo Mass we have, good luck trying to get them say a reply, when they don't even know the reply . Maybe for this reason, it might be good to have a "missal"? I mean, otherwise, the kids chat among themselves as it is at Mass, I'm afraid if they have no idea of what to say, they will be bored, and will really not want to reply, and will talk amongst themselves.

I appreciate the advice! I will talk to the priest about what you have said, and see what he thinks. I apologize for not mentioning some of the problems we experience at Masses among the students at our school. It's very, very sad. Unfortunately, we aren't dealing with young adults, but with teens who could care less (well, most of them). When there was talk that Benedict XVI might turn the Altar around in the Novus Ordo, you should have heard how many complained. One more point about the music, it seems like the music is something you really have to get used to. There is a good group of ladies who sing BEAUTIFULLY at the Melkite parish, and are part of the Women's Guild at our parish. Maybe the Women's Guild could set up for them to come sing? We have microphones, so that could help out so everyone can hear. Unfortunately, there are only a few Altar Servers at the Melkite parish, since it is so small, and one is in school, the other works full-time (as far as I know). I'm sure if we had the Divine Liturgy second semester, I might know enough by then to serve? The Melkite priest does a pretty good job right now as it is without any servers for the weekday Divine Liturgy, so I'm sure only having one server wouldn't be a problem. Also, since the Deacon at the Melkite parish recommended I ask about it, maybe he can even come to our school for the Divine Liturgy. And I know it wouldn't be hard to get someone to do the reading (I did it on my first visit to a weekday liturgy).

Now that I have mentioned some of the problems at my school, do you still think it will be feasable to have a Divine Liturgy (and knowing the fact that I am the only student that I know that goes to a Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy, and there is one Orthodox Christian that I know of at my school)?

One more thing, our school is very large, about 900 students. Is there any way possible that the priest could consecrate two chailces filled with His Blood, one for the deacon to use at communion time, and one for the priest? Otherwise, I have a feeling Communion will take forever.

Thanks for all your advice! I appreciate it!

I like the idea of a teaching Divine Liturgy, Fr. Anthony! Also, good idea to use some Greek (we could also use it for Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us, that one is pretty easy to pick up), Fr. Deacon Edward! Thankfully, even if the Women's Guild choir can't come, I'm sure the priest's wife can come (she is an excellent singer). Luckily, the priest is a good singer too.

Andrew,

First, you seem to be worrying about a lot of things that should be the concerns of the priest. Relax, and look at this as an educational experience that many are denied. Who knows, it may actually spark the faith of a few in your school.

Now, not knowing the canonical norms of the Melkites, I would assume that the priest can consecrate elements for three chalices, one for the celebrant, one for the latin rite priest (who with some pre-instruction can administer the sacrament) and one for the deacon, which I believe can administer under the direction of the priest.

The liturgy can really be part of a retreat that I know most Catholic High Schools do (Though I can not speak for your particular school). It can be a turning point for some, even if it does not attract them to Eastern Catholicism, is may be a time to help generate or renew someone's faith.

Please keep us posted on the developments, but definitely keep both priests a part of the logistics.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Thanks for the reply? But may I ask, what is the other priest you speak of? Is it you that you are referring to? I obviously am going to keep the Melkite priest involved in it all (as he will be the main celebrant), but what other priest are you referring to? The Priest-Deacon, maybe? As it is, our school isn't attached to a parish, so we have no pastor, or anything.

Thanks!

Andrew,

I'm sorry, by my assumption the latin rite priest that would normally serve the monthly mass. It has been my experience that they would want to attend out of curiosity?

The Melkite priest may actually solicit his, or maybe another priest's assistance, but first speak to them about it, and let them decide how to handle it.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

This is my experience from circa 1957 when I graduated Xavier High School, Jesuit, in NYC.

The entire student population was introduced to the (Russian)Orthodox Liturgy on a few occasions in our church, on the high altar that was Roman.

This was helpful to me later on when I had to confront the unbelievable impact of Vatican II's changes into my life.

At the time I didn't think very much about it other than culturally because we had many Orthodix and Eastern Catholics living in North Jersey. I didn't pick up they were Catholic like me until this experience.

I encourage your work.

Jim
St Mary's Byzantine
Jersey City, NJ

Sorry. I wish there forums had a spell check.

Hehe, thanks! Actually, we just have a visiting priest (whoever can make it, its rarely ever the same priest). So rather than trying to find a Roman priest to do it, we can just use the Melkite priest (and the deacon, if he is able to make it).

Thanks again!

Thank you, Peacock 24! That is very interesting. Good to hear!

Andrew,

Fr Peter and Fr Deacon Marion are members of the Eastern Catholic Clergy Association of AZ that meets during the year. I'm sure that if they make the event known, there would be enough sacred ministers- priests and deacons-to serve the Divine Liturgy at your high school.

Andrew,

I have to say, it is not often that you see three moderators posting on a single thread to push an idea. With the sacred number three for the trinity, this must be a sign of some sort .

I would not let this opportunity go, for we may never see this again.

Keep us all posted on the developments and if we can help in either prayer or direct support.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

PS You have more posts in a few hours than the "Imperial Torte" thread in Town Hall. Now we are on the right track!

Thanks! That is good to know, Fr. Deacon Montalvo!

Lol, Fr. Anthony! I hope it is a sign! Would be nice.

I still have to get all this approved by the school, before anything can happen. Hopefully it will be approved!