www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Maronite hymn concert on ewtn right now

It is 3 o' clock here in the eastern usa.
EWTN has decided to show us and help us expand our Catholic Faith by showing a concert consisting of Maronite and some Melkite hymns.
At 3 in the morning. Why not show it when most people are a awake? If they claim to want to help Catholics experience the whole Catholic experience (yes, a better sentence may have fit)
why did they wait until 3 in the morning to do so?

Although the hymns are downright beautiful and aimed at Mary, I have to give them that.
Please, show these programs when most people are awake and can witness them.
These programs can be used to show that the Catholic church just isn't the Latin Catholic church. The prayers and wonders can be shared. What better way than tv/multimedia?
But no, put on something that might impact people and open up a whole new world of prayer and spiritual growth... yeah put that on at 3 in the morning.
Let's get serious and put these programs on primetime.
If they were that serious about teaching the diversity in our church, they would not have put this concert on at 3 in the morning.
No wonder I lovingly have to educate almost every Roman Catholic I know about us and that we do exist and show them the beauty of our spirituality and prayer... show them our beautiful and wonderous prayers.
Na, but they'll keep it at 3 in the morning so only folks like me who can stay up late get up early can watch it.
At least I am being blessed by such wonderful prayers.

I absolutely agree with you. I have never seen a divine liturgy done on EWTN. I have never seen a tridentine latin mass either. How come they never do this?

I have never seen the liturgy of St John Chrysosom done on EWTN either. However, the Maronites were shown celebrating the Sacred Mysteries on EWTN during the novendiales period for Pope John Paul II. As for the Tridentine Mass...Mother Angelica had problems with her Bishop when she showed priests celebrating the Missa Normativa facing liturgical east. Its possible in the future that you might get more Eastern programming on EWTN. Fr Mitch Pacwa S.J. is very good with that stuff. However, I dont believe EWTN is going to drastically alter. It is a primarily Roman Catholic broadcaster after all.

Please let us not be too harsh. EWTN, since its inception, has labored against all odds to bring our catholic faith to the world. Let us all work with and not at cross purpose to those who's only wish is to evangelize and give glory to our God.

I wish I could have seen this program! This is what the EWTN website says about it:

EWTN has broadcast the Divine Liturgy celebrated in their chapel on a few occasions. Several years ago, Bishop John Elya celebrated one for the Ascension; more recently, Fr. Joseph Bertha and Fr. Michael Sopoliga served two (I think), this in addition to their program "Light from the East." These Liturgies were according to the Melkite and Ruthenian traditions, respectively.

Dave

Just a question, since EWTN is not carried by the cable provider here. Are instruments used in Maronite music? I know the Maronites are "Latinized" but is it to the point they use organs and other instruments?

Do you know if they plan on repeating it? I can then set up the DVR to grab it.

ByzTN,
The beginning was middle eastern music arabic or aremaic, not sure. They did the Gloria in Latin at the end, violins, etc..

Charles,

Historically, the Maronites employed cymbals and a couple of other metallic percussive instruments in their liturgical music. In my experience, those are only rarely seen these days, except on very formal liturgical occasions. Organs can certainly be found in a fair number of Maronite churches and I've observed violins used at times.

There is an excellent discussion online of Maronite Sacred Music [mari.org] at the Maronite Research Institute [mari.org] site.

Many years,

Neil

No Tridentine Latin Mass ever on ewtn ? Not even a video tape of one ? I do not want to beat up too, however isn't this a shame.

Thanks, Neil and Massasauga. We have petitioned Comcast several times to get them to carry EWTN. The answer is always "no."

ByzanTN
Anything I can ever do for you... you let me know.
Matt

One thing I have been critical of in regards to EWTN is the near-total lack of Eastern Catholic programming. It must be pointed out that Fr. Trugillio and Fr. Groeschel have been and always are more than charitable in their references to the East, and are quick to comment on the differnces between East and West while pointing out that all are equal and none are superior. While a lack of funding may have something to do with it, I am surprised - and disappointed - that there are not regular broadcasts of the Divine Liturgy or of other Eastern liturgies.

Fr. Pacwa almost always mentions the East too.

(slight thread drift)
Perhaps, one reason there has not been a TLM on EWTN is bcause the Bishop of Birmingham did not give permission for the TLM to be celebrated within his Diocese (someone please correct me if I am in error). The new church built by Mother Angelica is certainly suited for the TLM. - (end slight thread drift)

Maybe if more folks let EWTN know that they want to see programming highlighting the East - and cut 'em a check to pay for it - it would happen.