Byzantine Catholicism ‘different’ but in communion with Rome

[rug]

During the Divine Liturgy, which is an entirely sung text, frequent incensations and processions occur all around the church with the Gospel book and with the bread and wine for the Eucharist. (Photo by Christina gray/Catholic San Francisco)

January 12th, 2016
By Christina Gray -

During the first week of January when most Roman Catholics were enjoying the spiritual afterglow of the Christmas season, Russian Byzantine Catholics in the Archdiocese of San Francisco were preparing for the celebration of their Christmas Day on Jan. 7.

Byzantine Catholic churches follow the Julian calendar in which Christmas falls 13 days after that of the Gregorian calendar.

During an interview in the midst of Christmas week preparations, the pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Russian Byzantine Catholic Church in San Francisco told Catholic San Francisco that few Roman Catholics in the archdiocese are familiar with the lyrical Byzantine Divine Liturgy or know that it can fulfill their Sunday obligation as a Roman Catholic.

‘Fully and equally Catholic’

“The Roman Catholic Church and the Byzantine Catholic Church are fully and equally Catholic,” said Father Kevin Kennedy who became pastor three years ago after the small church – one of only 20 Russian Byzantine Catholic Churches in the world – found a home in the former convent at St. Monica’s Church where he also serves as parochial vicar. The Divine Liturgy is held in the former convent chapel.

http://www.catholic-sf.org/ns.php?newsid=22&id=64080

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1. Several years ago when I was an EM...

...a family of Byzantine Catholics living in the area presented themselves for communion and the deacon wasn't too sure about giving the children communion. The Byzantine Catholics receive communion at a lot earlier age than the Catholics do. They talked it over with the rector and he gave the children communion.

[rug]

2. If they follow the Orthodox parctice, I think they get Baptism, Commnion and Confirmation as infants

The sacraments of initiatian are received s once.

Maybe an Orthodox member will weigh in.

[Paula Sims]

3. It was probably a lay deacon who wasn't familiar with the details.

Technically, the Roman Church and the Byzantine church are in full communion - it's just that many Roman Catholics don't know or understand the technicalities of the rite.

And a plug for my Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic brethren also!