Written by The Maronite Church

INTRODUCTORY RITES

Entrance Psalm or Hymn

As the ministers go in procession to the entrance of the sanctuary, the congregation stands and sings either the following Psalm (A) or Hymn (B):

(A) Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear:
The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom am I afraid?

Though an army encamp against me, my heart does no fear;
Though war be waged against me, even then do I trust.

One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek:
to dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life,
to gaze on the Lord’s beauty,
to visit his temple.

For God will hide me in his shelter in time of trouble,
will conceal me in the cover of his tent.

He set me high upon a rock.
Even now my head is held high.

I will sing and chant praise to the Lord.
Hear my voice, Lord, when I call;
have mercy on me and answer me.

“Come,” says my heart, “Seek God’s face;”
your face, Lord do I seek!

Do not hide your face from me;
do not repel your servant in anger.

You are my help; do not cast me off;
do not forsake me, God my savior!

Even if my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will take me in.

Lord, show me your way;
lead me on a level path.

I believe I shall enjoy the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord, take courage;
be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.

OR:

(B) Hymn

Entrance Dialogue

Cel: I have entered your house, O Lord, and have worshiped before your throne. O King of heaven, forgive all my sins.

Cong: O King of heaven, forgive all our sins.

Cel: Pray to the Lord for me.

Cong: May the Lord accept your offering and have mercy on us through your prayer.

Doxology

Cel: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Opening Prayer

Cel: O Christ the Light, you had mercy on the man who was blind and opened his eyes, and he was in awe before your majesty. Shine the light of your knowledge and holiness into the recesses of our souls, that we too may be filled with wonder and awe in your presence. During this Lent, grant us the light of your glorious resurrection, and we will glorify you, O Christ, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Greeting

Cel: Peace be with the Church and her children

Hymn of the Angels

Cong:Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth and good will to all.

PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS (HOOSOYO)

Proemion

Cel: To the praise and glory of the Most Holy Trinity.

Cel: May we be worthy to glorify, praise, and honor the only true God: the Father, who is the source of eternal light; the Son, who is LIght from Light; the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the FAther and the Son: one power, one dominion, one will, one exalted God. To the good One are due glory and honor, on this blessed Sunday and all the days of our lives, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Sedro

Cel: O only Word of God, you are beyond all description and praise. You were born in time of the Virgin Mary, yet you are the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega. You humbled yourself and walked on our roads. Like guiding lighthouse, you save the world from darkness. You opened the eyes of those who were blind to teach us that you are the life-giving source of light. Through your wondrous deeds you revealed that you are the long-awaited Messiah, foretold by the prophet Isaiah:

“The eyes of those who are blind will open, those who are lame will leap like a deer, and the tongues of those unable to speak shout with joy.”

O Lord, you walked on the sea and calmed the raging storm; you enlightened our pathways, fed the hungry, and brought life to decayed bones. We ask you now to accept our witness and our profession of faith, for you are truly the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

We implore you: with the light of your knowledge, shine in our hearts and in the hearts of all peoples. Let us rejoice in the vision of your face, as did Bartimaeus on the road to Jericho. Confirm our faith in you and lift up our minds and thoughts to you.

Let us not be distracted by the futile things of this world nor be blinded by its mirages. May your light shine throughout the entire universe, that all peoples may see you face and find joy in you. We glorify you, O Christ, your Father who sent you, and your Holy Spirit, source of our holiness, now for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Hymn

The congregation sits and the hymn is then sung.

Cong: Christ, who is Light, appeared from on high; he walked on our earth that his creation, sitting in the darkness of error, may be bathed by light. With the signs he performed, he manifested the might of his divinity and made his creatures aware that he is the Lord.

Those who were blind have seen a new light and they glorify you, O Lord. They thank your name for they were able to see your marvels. You are the new light. By your healings, you enlightened the earth. Lord, enlighten our minds that we may abundantly proclaim your praise.

OR

Blind Bartimaeus, open your eyes and see the true Light. Fix  your eyes on his Light and be filled with wonder. The Lord has granted your wish. Now go forth and declare his deeds.

He is the beginning, a bright and shining Word when the world was still in love with darkness. The Word shattered the darkness and erased the shadows with his Light.

The Word is a guide that leads to the Lord. He is coming to lead us. For no one can see God, but the Son has shown us his face. He was God before the wold was made, before time began.

Lord, keep us close to you until we see the eternal Light of your face.

Etro

Cel: O Christ, the just One, you are rich in patience and mercy; you bestowed upon those who were blind the splendor of your radiant light. Accept our incense and open the eyes of our minds and consciences to the light of your good news. You are Christ, the true Light, who leads us all. We glorify you, now and for ever.

Cong: Amen.

Trisagion

The congregation stands and the Trisagion is then sung three times.

Cel: Holy are you, O God. Holy are you, O Strong One. Holy are you, O Immortal One.

Cong: Have mercy on us.

Cel: O holy and immortal Lord, sanctify our minds and purify our consciences, that we praise you with pure hearts and listen to your Holy Scriptures. To you be glory, for ever.

Cong: Amen.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Psalm of the Readings

All sit for the psalm of the readings.

Cong: “Have mercy on me, my Lord and God,” pleaded the man who was blind before our Savior. “As you enabled me to hear your voice, let me know see the light or your face.”

Cel: Heed this, all nations: “The man who was blind pleaded before Christ,” listen, all you inhabitants of the earth: “Let me see the light of your face.”

Cong: You accepted the offerings made by the righteous before us, Lord. Now accept our offering, comfort us, and be attentive to our prayers.

Reading(s)

Reader: A reading from the ...

The reader then asks for the celebrant’s blessing:

Reader: Father, give your blessing.

The celebrant blesses the reader. The reader then continues:

Reader: Brothers and sisters ...

The reader concludes the reading by singing or saying:

Reader: Praise be to God always!

Alleluia

Meanwhile, the congregation stands and sings:

Cong: Alleluia! Alleluia!

Cantor: “I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see.” (John 9:39)

Cong: Alleluia!

Gospel

Deacon: Before the good news of our Savior, announcing life to us all, let us offer this incense. O Lord, we ask for your mercy.

The celebrant burns incense while two subdeacons (servers) hold lighted candles on each side of the Book of Gospels.

Cel: Peace be with you.

Cong: And also with you.

Cel: Let us be attentive to the gospel of life and salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by the (evangelist Mark/Luke) (apostle Matthew/John).

The celebrant incenses the Book of Gospels three times. Meanwhile, the deacon proclaims:

Deacon: Remain silent, O Listeners, for the holy gospel is about to be announced to you. Listen and give glory and thanks to the living Word of God.

The celebrant begins the gospel using one of the following:

A. When the words of the Lord begin the reading: The Lord Jesus said...

B. When the gospel is from Mark or Luke: The Evangelist said...

C. When the gospel is from Matthew or John: The Apostles said...

At the conclusion of the gospel, he sings or says:

Cel: This is the truth. Peace be with you.

Cong: Praise and blessings to Jesus Christ for his living word to us.

Homily

The congregation sits. The celebrant then gives a homily based on the readings and the liturgy of the day.

Creed

At the conclusion of the homily, the congregation stands and sings or says the Creed.

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and ware buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified,
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

The liturgy continues with the Pre-Anaphora

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