This book is not only for Maronite Catholics but for all people who want to know more about one of the rich Traditions of the Catholic Church. There are many ways to be a Catholic. When people think of Catholicism, they too often think that the Tradition of Roman Catholicism is the only way that Catholics live out their faith commitment. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are in fact many Catholics whose spiritual, liturgical, historical, even disciplinary Traditions are closer to the Eastern Traditions of the Church and the Eastern origins of Christianity. Fr. Salim has written a pastoral text that explains for the general reader how the Catholic Faith is expressed in one of these ancient Churches, the Syriac-Maronite Catholic Church. With theological roots in ancient Antioch, third most important city in the Roman Empire, and organized in defending the pivotal teachings of the Council of Chalcedon, Maronite Catholics take their name and heritage from St. Maron, a monk and holy man of Syria of the fifth century. Fr. Salim has explored how this Eastern Church, which has never separated from communion with the See of Rome, is renewing itself in light of its proper sources and after the Second Vatican Council. A must for anyone seeking to expand his or her knowledge of what it means to be fully Catholic today.

Fr. Salim served as Parochial Vicar at St. Maron’s Church in Clevland, Ohio; as Administrator of St. Sharbel Maronite Mission in Peoria, Illinoi; as Pastor of St. George’s Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; and as Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Flint, Michigan. Fr. Salim celebrated his 25th anniversary of Ordained Priesthood on the 29th of June 2001. Fr. Salim is currently the Director of Religious Education for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. He also serves as Associate Director of the Eastern (Churches) Conference of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education (ECDD) and as Eastern Church Representative to National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL). The book’s table of content hereing presented would help idetify its content: PART I: PREPARING FOR FAITH 1 Chapter 1: Seeing the light of Faith 5 Chapter 2: The Object of Faith: The Fathomless Mystery of the Trinity..... 15 Chapter 3: God, the Father of Jesus 25 Chapter 4: Jesus the Christ, Divinity Joined to Humanity 33 Chapter 5: The Holy Spirit: Indwelling Love 51 Chapter 6: The Church: Koinonia/Community of Faith 57 Chapter 7: The Eastern Catholic Churches 81 Chapter 8: The Syriac-Maronite Church of Antioch 99 PART II: THE WORD OF GOD, FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH........... 109 Chapter 9: The Sacred Scriptures 113 Chapter 10: Holy Tradition 123 Chapter 11: The Maronite Liturgical Year 133 Chapter 12: The Interpretation of Scripture 143 PART III: GOD'S KINGDOM: THE ALREADY AND THE NOT YET........... 153 Chapter 13: Mary, Mother of God, and Other Righteous and Just........... 157 Chapter 14: Human Destiny 171 PART IV: OUR SACRAMENTAL AND MORAL FAITH LIFE..... 187 Chapter 15: The Mysteries of Initiation 193 Chapter 16: Initiation: Baptism I, Response to Sin........... 197 Chapter 17: Initiation: Baptism II, New Life in God 207 Chapter 18: Initiation: Chrismation 213 Chapter 19: Initiation: Eucharist 219 Chapter 20: The Worship That Is Due to God 231 Chapter 21: The Qoorbono/Divine Service of the Holy Mysteries: the Prayer Par Excellence........... 241 Chapter 22: The Mysteries of Healing: Confronting Sin and Its Effects........... 249 Chapter 23: The Mysteries of Healing I: Penance (Reconciliation)........... 259 Chapter 24: The Mysteries of Healing II: Anointing of the Sick and Dying........... 265 Chapter 25: The Mysteries of Vocation I: Ordained Ministry........... 271 Chapter 26: The Mysteries of Vocation II: Holy Crowning........... 283 Chapter 27: Living a Moral Life I: Biblical Morality........... 293 Chapter 28: Living a Moral Life II: Morality in Church Tradition........... 309 CONCLUDING WORD 329 A SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY 331 APPENDIX I: Our Maronite Customs 337 Introduction 339 Canonical Considerations: the Sacramental Mysteries 340 Baptism 340 Admission of the Candidate into the Church 340 Determining Ritual Church Status 340 Requirements for Baptism 340 Adult Initiation: the Catechumenate 341 Profession of Faith 341 Transfer of Ritual Church 342 Baptism in Danger of Death 342 Chrismation 342 Holy Eucharist 343 Regulations for the Communion Fast 343 How to Receive Holy Communion 343 Holy Crowning 344 A Brief Summary of Pastoral/Canonical Considerations........... 344 The Betrothal/Engagement Ceremony 346 Annulment 346 Penance (Reconciliation) 347 Introduction 347 How to Go to Confession 347 Fasting 348 Regulations for Lenten Fast and Abstinence 349 How to Prepare for a Sick Call 349 Funerals 349 Service of the Incense (Wake Service) 349 The Jinnaaz Service 350 40-Day Memorial Service 350 Eastern Christian Duties 350 The Corporal Works of Mercy 354 The Spiritual Works of Mercy 354 Maronite Liturgical Customs and Objects 354 General Customs 354 Customs of the Liturgical Year 355 Commemorations for the Qoorbono 360 Anaphoras and Their Seasonal Use 361 Maronite Liturgical Music 362 Maronite Liturgical Art 362 Sacred Objects 363 Blessings for Various Occasions 364 Stipends (Stole Fees) 365 APPENDIX II: Our Prayer Tradition 367 The Sign of the Cross 370 The Lord's Prayer 370 Prayer of Praise (Doxology) 372 Prayer to the Mother of God 372 Hymn of the Trisagion 372 The Apostles' Creed 373 A Morning Prayer 374 Prayer before a Meal 374 Thanksgiving after a Meal 375 Act of Contrition 375 The Jesus Prayer 376 Prayer for the Faithful Departed 376 Night Prayer 377 Prayer for the Sick 377 Prayer before Holy Communion 378 Prayer for Vocations 378 The Rosary 379 APPENDIX III: Liturgical Observance/Doctrine Coordination..... 381 APPENDIX IV: A Glossary of Maronite Terms 387 APPENDIX V: The Documents of Vatican II 409 APPENDIX VI: Eastern Catholic Jurisdictions in the United States ..... 413 APPENDIX VII: Summaries of the Books of the Catholic Bible..... 421 INDEX OF SCRIPTURE CITATIONS 435 INDEX OF LITURGICAL PRAYERS CITED 439 GENERAL INDEX 441 5. To invite Fr. Salim to discuss the book contact him at his parish address at: Fr. Anthony Salim St. Maron Maronite Church 1555 S. Meridian Road Youngtown, OH 44511 Tel. (330)-792-2371 6. For further information or to order this book call or write to: E. T. NEDDER Publishing PMB #299 9121 East Tanque Verde, Suite 105 Tucson, AZ 85749-8390 Email: sales@fillorders.com Toll Free: 877-817-2725 Fax: 520-798-1514