Good day to you all.
Today we once again remember a man who was very influential in the early dyas of the Church. St. Josephat lived between 1801-1890. He was influential in the Ruthenian Greet Catholic church. Not being a scholar in this area of church history the following should give you some understanding of the Ruthenian Church.
The Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church (also known in the United States as the Byzantine Catholic Church) is
an autonomous (sui iuris) Eastern Catholic particular church. It is in full communion with the Pope and the worldwide Catholic Church, sharing the same core Catholic faith and dogmas as the Roman Catholic Church, but expressing them through the rich traditions of the
Byzantine Rite.
Given the fact that in these early days people did not travel as we would do today. Because of this fact, we
see the church developing various expressions of worship. And the more isolated these people may be, the
we see differentness in the liturgy.
Though many of these churches’ liturgy was different, they all held ties with the Roman Church and were looked
upon as members of the “One Holy Catholic Church.”
The Lord’s mission was not to establish a “church” that was the same throughout the world. If you were to attend
a Easterern Rite liturgy, you would find it much different. It in no ways means that they are better or worse then
the Romans, it just means that this liturgical rite was developed in a very different time and space.
Though different, we are still ONE, HOLY CATHOLIC CHRUCH. And we are but ONE spoke in the wheel of faith
that all religions lead to the hub of that wheel which is the ONE GOD AND FATHER of us ALL.
Peace and All Good
Fr. Vinnie, osf and the
Bros and Srs of the
Franciscan House of Prayer.
