The essential elements
of the public worship of the Catholic Church, in the Sacrifice of the
Eucharist and the administration of the sacraments, are the same in all
Catholic rites. What is called the "Mass" in the West is called
"Divine Liturgy" in the Eastern Churches.
The rite celebrated at Nativity parish is the Byzantine rite, which originated
in the ancient Church at Constantinople.
The Liturgy of
St.
John Chrysostom
is most often used within the Byzantine rite,
but is not the only Liturgy available.
Worship in the Ukrainian Catholic Church is characterized by a great sense
of God's holiness, a reverence for the sacred, a humble dependence on
the power and mercy of God and faith in the intercessory power of the
Mother of God and all the Saints. There is a strong tradition of congregational
singing without instrumentation, with traditional melodies adopted to
our liturgical texts. At Nativity parish, the majority of the Divine Liturgy
is said in English, with some responses and prayers said in Ukrainian
The Liturgy consists of three main parts:
-
The Preparation,
during which the priest prepares the bread and chalice for Communion.
-
The Liturgy of the Word,
which includes particular readings, prayers and a homily.
-
The Liturgy of Sacrifice,
the main part of Divine Liturgy when the Creed is recited, the Holy Gifts
are Consecrated and Communion is received.
To see the entire text of the
Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom,
click here.
