The Maronite Tauditho Meal (English-2006)

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

(-4 B.C.--- 30 A.D.)

All begin:

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The parents recite from Psalm 78:

Attend, my people, to my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in story, drawing lessons from of old. We have heard them, we know them; our ancestors have recited them to us. We do not keep them from our children; we recite them to the next generation, the praiseworthy and mighty deeds of the LORD, the wonders that he performed.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

The woman lights the large candle, saying:

Blessed are you Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen. You chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, the True Light of the World.

By the “Yes” of a woman and the power of the Holy Spirit, the Light came into this world.

The leader says:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…
He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name.”

The woman continues:

Jesus Christ suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day, he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. His kingdom will have no end.

ANTIOCH

(30 A.D. --- 350 A.D.)

  

The leader says:

At Pentecost, after the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they began proclaiming the good news.

Thousands accepted their message, were baptized, and joined the Church.

Between the years 37 A.D. and 62 A.D., the Early Church was persecuted in Jerusalem.  Many who had been scattered went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word and proclaiming the LORD Jesus. The hand of the LORD was with them and a great number who believed turned to the LORD. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

The woman lights the three small candles: Faith, Hope, and Love.

ST. MARON & HIS DISCIPLES

(350 A.D. --- 452 A.D.)

The leader says:

Around 350 A.D., Maron “the little lord” was born in Cyrrhus, a small town near Antioch. When he grew up, Maron heard God’s call for holiness and perfection. His heart was burning within him.

A dialogue between God (the leader) and Maron
(a young man):

-         Maron, Maron.

-         Yes, LORD. Who are you?

-         I Am the compassionate Father. I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I Am your Consoler and Comforter. You will be the father of a great people, a people who will bear your name. I, the Lord, will be their God and they will be my people. They will be persecuted for their faith, but persecutions will make them stronger. Their divisions will bring disasters and bitterness to them, because if they break the commandment of love, we will deliver them to their enemies and scatter them over the earth. However, their repentance will draw down my Grace and Mercy, and good will be brought out of evil.

-         LORD, how can this be?

-         “Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine and you are the branch. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”

-         LORD, what do you want me to do now?

-         Leave your town, and climb up to the mountain of Nabo. Remain in me in prayer, penance, and labor. I will protect you. I will be with you. I will bestow my gifts upon you. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

-         Here I am, LORD. May your will be fulfilled in me.

All recite the ‘Our Father.’

The woman says:

Maron left the world and ascended to the top of Mount Nabo, near Antioch. He lived in the open air, converted a pagan temple into a church, and spent his time praying in solitude, fasting, and working.

The leader says:

“Maron did greater acts in order to reach perfect wisdom, for the militant soldier weighs between virtue and acts… And since God is very generous with his saints, he bestowed upon him the gifts of healing the sick. His fame spread to all the surrounding districts, so people flocked to him and witnessed the veracity of his virtues and miracles. He could heal the sick and exorcise the devil by mere prayer. Physicians prescribe a special medicine for each disease, but the prayer of the righteous is the remedy for all diseases. St. Maron not only healed the ailments of the body but also those of the soul, by curing the avarice of the covetous, the anger of the passionate, teaching some the wisdom of temperance, others the principles of justice, others the happiness of chastity, and others the love of labor.”

Maron attracted many disciples: James of Cyrrhus, Limnaeus, Domnina, Cyra, Marana, Abraham the hermit (the apostle of Mount Lebanon), and many others. Maron died around 410.

All recite a paragraph from the letter of St. John Chrysostom to St. Maron:

“[Dear Maron], we are bound to you by love and interior disposition, and see you here before us as if you were actually present. For such are the eyes of love; their vision is neither interrupted by distance nor dimmed by time… we address ourselves to your honor and assure you that we hold you constantly in our minds and carry you about in our souls wherever we may be… please pray for us.”

The leader says:

Following the request of Pope Leo I, Marcianus the Emperor built a great monastery near the Orontes River in 452 A.D. called Bet Moroon, or the House of Maron. For 500 years, the disciples of St. Maron gathered in this monastery supporting the teaching of the Catholic Church. The followers of Bet Moroon were the first to be called Maronites.

BET MOROON

THE CUP OF FAITHFULNESS
(452 A.D. --- 938 A.D.)

The leader rings the bell.

He blows out the first small candle.

A child asks:

What happened to the first Maronites?

The leader responds:

There were many attempts to impair their faith:

1. In 517 A.D., 350 Maronite monks were killed for the sake of the teaching of the Council of Chalcedon.

2. In 694 A.D., 500 Maronites were killed by Justinian the Byzantine Emperor because the Maronites elected their first Patriarch John Maron. Bet Moroon was also damaged.

3. In 938 A.D., Bet Moroon and many Maronite monasteries in Syria were completely destroyed by the Arabs. The Maronite Patriarch took refuge in the Mountains of Lebanon.

These three major persecutions left behind hundreds of martyrs and thousands of refugees. This resulted in many waves of migration from northern Syria to Mount Lebanon. The Maronites had to make the most difficult decision: to leave the rich plains of Syria, and take the rugged mountains of Lebanon as a refuge to protect their faith. The Aramean Syrian Maronites of Syria joined the Canaanite Phoenician Maronites of Lebanon and the Mardaites in Lebanon.  

The child asks:

Where was the hand of God in all of these events?

The leader responds:

God brought the first Maronites out of Syria and led them into the mountains of Lebanon to form a Church with the Canaanite Phoenician Maronites of Lebanon and worship Him in freedom.

The Cup of Faithfulness

The leader takes bread, breaks it, dips the first piece in salt water and eats it, saying:

Take the Lahmo, break it, and dip the first piece in salt water, and eat it. Remember the tears our ancestors shed when they abandoned their lands.

Then he takes the second piece and wraps it in a cloth, saying:

Wrap the second piece of Lahmo and set it aside. Remember Bet Moroon, which was destroyed for the sake of Faith.

All pray Psalm 79:

O God, the nations have invaded your heritage; they have defiled your holy temple, have laid [Bet Moroon] in ruins. They have left the corpses of your servants as food for the birds of the heavens, the flesh of your faithful for the beasts of the earth. They have spilled their blood like water all around the [monastery], and no one is left to bury them. We have become the reproach of our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. How long, LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your rage keep burning like fire? Do not hold past iniquities against us; may your compassion come quickly, for we have been brought very low. Help us, God our savior, for the glory of your name. Deliver us; pardon our sins for your name's sake.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

The leader takes the cup of wine, saying:

Take the cup of wine and drink from it. This is the cup of Faithfulness. Remember the martyrs whose blood shed for the sake of Faith.

Soldiers of Christ

After they drink, he says:

The LORD Jesus said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” Pope Hormizdes described the Maronites as the soldiers of Christ and members of His Living Body. So be like your ancestors, faithful to the Church and her teaching, soldiers of Christ, and members of His Living Body.

The woman kisses the Holy Bible and passes it to all, saying:

This is the Holy Bible. Strengthen your Faith with the Word of God given to us. Do whatever He tells you.

THE CANDLE OF FAITH

(938 A.D. -1268 A.D.)

The leader says:

The Maronites, who were like sheep without a shepherd, elected their first Patriarch in 685 A.D.: St John Maron. Their faith became stronger.

The woman lights the first large candle, the candle of Faith.

All recite the Act of Faith

O my God, we believe that you are one God in three divine persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that He will come again to judge the living and the dead. We believe these and all of the truths, which your Holy Catholic Church teaches, because you, who can neither deceive nor be deceived, have revealed them. Amen.

The leader says:

For 350 years, the Canaanite Phoenician Maronites, the Aramean Syrian Maronites, and the Mardaites have lived in complete isolation in the rugged mountains of Lebanon. They welcomed their brothers and sisters who had to abandon their lands and take refuge in the mountains. The Church started growing under the Cedars, in the deep valleys, protected by the white and rocky mountains. The Maronites tilled the land and made it fertile. They appreciated what God gave them and became attached to their Land and Church. They were ready to defend them and their Patriarch no matter how much it would cost them.

The woman brings the Feereh and gives to all (one spoon), saying:

Thank you, LORD, for everything you gave our ancestors: a Church, a Patriarch, and the mountains of Lebanon. Here is the sweetness of Faith, taste it.

They all eat and sing or say Psalm 23, the Lord is my Shepherd:

The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name. Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage. You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

THE MOUNTAINS OF LEBANON

THE CUP OF FREEDOM
(1268 A.D. --- 1516 A.D.)

The leader rings the bell.

He blows out the second small candle.

The child asks:

What happened to the Maronites in the mountains of Lebanon?

The leader responds:

There were many attempts to hurt their hope.

During the Crusades (1096 A.D.-1292 A.D.), the Maronites established strong relationships with France and the Pope of Rome. They were no longer isolated; but after the defeat of the crusaders:

1. Between 1268 A.D. and 1283 A.D., the Mamlooks attacked the strongholds of the Maronites, sowing destruction in Ehden, Bsharre, Hadath el-Jibbet, Miefook, and other villages. They captured the Patriarch Daniel El Hadsheeti and sent him to his death.

2. Between 1291 A.D. and 1305 A.D., the Mamlooks destroyed Keserwan, killing thousands of people.

3. The Maronites had to learn how to survive and protect their freedom; but in 1357 A.D., they became divided against themselves: The Maronites of Byblos-Batroun against those of Bsharre.

The child says:

God says that when we are divided against ourselves and break the commandment of love, He will deliver us to our enemies and scatter us over the earth.

The leader says:

That’s exactly what happened. The Mamlooks invaded Byblos and Batroun, destroyed their villages, and burned their Patriarch, Gabriel Hejoula, alive in 1367 A.D. In that time, many people escaped to Cyprus, and the Maronites lost their freedom.

In 1440 A.D., the Maronite Patriarchate moved from Miefook to Wadi Qannoubine, also known as Wadi Qadisha or the Valley of the Saints.

The Cup of Freedom

The leader takes bread, breaks it, dips the first piece in salt water and eats it, saying:

Take the Lahmo, break it, and dip the first piece in salt water, and eat it. Remember the tears our ancestors shed when they abandoned their lands.

The leader takes the second piece, dips it in horseradish, and eats it, saying:

Dip the second piece in “Maurorae” and eat it. Remember the bitterness our ancestors experienced under humiliation.

All recite Psalm 85, Prayer for peace and justice:
You once favored, LORD, your land, restored the good fortune of [Maron]. You forgave the guilt of your people, pardoned all their sins. You withdrew all your wrath, turned back your burning anger. Restore us once more, God our savior; abandon your wrath against us. Will you be angry with us forever, drag out your anger for all generations? Please give us life again, that your people may rejoice in you. Show us, LORD, your love; grant us your salvation. I will listen for the word of God; surely the LORD will proclaim peace to his people, to the faithful, to those who trust in him. Near indeed is salvation for the loyal; prosperity will fill our land. Love and truth will meet; justice and peace will kiss. Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven. The LORD will surely grant abundance; our land will yield its increase. Prosperity will march before the Lord, and good fortune will follow behind.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

The leader takes the cup of wine, saying:

Take the cup of wine and drink from it. This is the cup of Freedom. Remember the martyrs whose blood shed for the sake of Freedom.

Rose among Thorns    

After they drink, he says:

Because of the many disasters happened in the world, especially in the Middle East, during that period of time (13^th- 16^th century), Pope Leo X described the Maronite Church as a rose among thorns, an impregnable rock in the sea, unshaken by the waves and fury of the thundering tempest.

The woman passes a rose surrounded by thorns, saying:

Take this Rose surrounded by thorns and smell it. It represents our Church in the midst of chaos.

THE CANDLE OF HOPE

(1516 A.D. -1842 A.D.)

The leader says:

God heard the Maronites’ cry for help. In 1516 A.D., the Mamlooks were defeated by the Ottomans, and the Maronites were granted protection by France. They expanded in Lebanon and mixed with other minorities. Their hope became stronger.

The woman lights the second large candle, the candle of Hope.

All recite the Act of Hope

O my God, relying on your almighty power, infinite goodness, and promises, we hope to obtain pardon of all our sins, the help of your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Redeemer. Amen.

The leader says:

The Maronites built churches, founded religious orders, formed schools, and cultivated rough lands. The valleys and the mountains were filled with monks and hermits. Many families converted to Christianity, joined the Church, and participated in the table of the Lord.

The woman passes the dish of Feereh. All take from the dish (one spoon), and the woman says:

Thank you, LORD, for everything you gave our ancestors: a Church, a Patriarch, and the mountains of Lebanon. Here is the sweetness of Freedom, taste it.

They all eat and recite:

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the LORD.”

LEBANON

THE CUP OF INDEPENDENCE
(1842 A.D. --- 2005 A.D.)

  

The leader rings the bell.

He blows out the third small candle.

The child asks:

What happened to the Maronites in the mountains of Lebanon?

The leader responds:

There were many attempts to impair their love.

1. Between 1842 A.D. and 1860 A.D., a great conflict erupted in the mountains of Lebanon. In 1860 A.D., dozens of villages, churches, and monasteries were completely destroyed, incited by the Ottomans, who were trying to break the Maronites’ spirit of independence. Ten thousand Maronites were martyred. Among them were the Massabki brothers: Francis, Abed El-Moati, and Raphael. They were martyred in Damascus on July 10^th, 1860 and beatified by Pope Pius XI on October 1^st, 1926. 

Many Maronites were displaced and others emigrated.

2. Between 1915 A.D. and 1918 A.D., the Ottomans blocked the roads to the mountains. One third of the Maronites perished because of the Great Famine and diseases, and many others emigrated.

3. After the First World War, Lebanon won its independence.

However, peace did not last very long. Between 1975 A.D. and 1990 A.D., Lebanon experienced a destructive war. Tens of thousands died in wars, and thousands emigrated.

These three major persecutions resulted in three waves of emigration from Lebanon to many countries, especially the Americas and Australia.

The Maronites defended their country with great courage, but in 1990 A.D., they were divided against each other and started fighting.

The child says:

God says that when we are divided against ourselves and break the commandment of love, He will deliver us to our enemies and scatter us over the earth.

The leader replies:

That’s exactly what happened. Their enemies invaded them, bombarded their cities and villages, sent their leaders into exile, and put others in jail. The Maronites lost their independence and hundreds of thousands left the mountains of Lebanon and emigrated. There was a need for reconciliation.

The Cup of Independence

The leader takes bread, breaks it, dips the first piece in salt water and eats it, saying:

Take the Lahmo, break it, and dip the first piece in salt water, and eat it. Remember the tears our brothers and sisters shed when they abandoned their lands.

The leader takes the second piece, dips it in horseradish, and eats it, saying:

Dip the second piece in “Maurorae” and eat it. Remember the bitterness our brothers and sisters experienced under occupation and humiliation.

All recite a passage from the Book of Lamentations 5:1-22:

Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us, look, and see our disgrace: Our inherited lands have been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners. We have become orphans, fatherless; widowed are our mothers. The water we drink we must buy, for our own wood we must pay. On our necks is the yoke of those who drive us; we are worn out, but allowed no rest. Our fathers, who sinned, are no more; but we bear their guilt. Slaves rule over us; there is no one to rescue us from their hands. At the peril of our lives we bring in our sustenance, in the face of the desert heat; our skin is shriveled up, as though by a furnace, with the searing blasts of famine. The joy of our hearts has ceased, our dance has turned into mourning; the garlands have fallen from our heads: woe to us, for we have sinned! Over this our hearts are sick, at this our eyes grow dim: That [Mount Lebanon] should be desolate, with jackals roaming there! You, O LORD, are enthroned forever; your throne stands from age to age. Why, then, should you forget us, abandon us so long a time? Lead us back to you, O LORD, that we may be restored: give us anew such days as we had of old. For now you have indeed rejected us, and in full measure turned your wrath against us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

The leader takes the cup of wine, saying:

Take the cup of wine and drink from it. This is the cup of Independence. Remember the martyrs whose blood shed for the sake of Independence.

Reconciliation

                

The woman says to her sons:

The LORD Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.”

Therefore, he commanded us to love one another. He said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” 

The sons stand, holding each other’s hands, saying:

- Forgive me brother, for I have sinned against heaven and against you.

- I forgive you, brother. Peace be with you.

- And also with you.

The sons exchange hugs and kisses while the family members applaud as a sign of joy for reconciliation.

The woman continues, saying:

The LORD Jesus also taught us to love our enemies: He said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.”

The sons pray, saying:

O Father, we ask you to forgive our enemies, forgive them, they know not what they do.

More Than a Country

The child asks:

Did God abandon his people?

The leader responds:

God did not abandon his people. He consoled the Maronites, giving them three saints: St. Sharbel, St. Rafqa, and St. Nimatullah Hardini.

In 1997 A.D., Pope John Paul II visited Lebanon to give hope to the Lebanese people and particularly to the Maronites. He said, “Lebanon is more than a country, it is a message.” The Pope gave them his Apostolic Exhortation “New Hope for Lebanon”.

The woman passes an olive branch to each individual, saying:

Take this olive branch. It represents your message of peace to the world.

THE CANDLE OF LOVE

(2005 A. D. --- … )

The leader says:

Due to the severe persecution of the Church in Lebanon, many were scattered throughout the world, which made the Church grow outside of Lebanon. That’s how the early Church grew outside of Jerusalem. The Maronites’ love became stronger.

The woman lights the third large candle, the candle of Love.

All recite the Act of Charity

O my God, we love you above all things, with our whole hearts and souls, because you are all good and worthy of all love. We love our neighbors as ourselves for the love of you. We forgive all who have injured us, and ask pardon of all whom we have injured.

The leader says:

The Maronite Church became international. She not only includes Canaanite Phoenician Maronites, Aramean Syrian Maronites, and Arab Maronites, but also American, Brazilian, Australian, European, and African Maronites.

The woman passes the dish of Feereh, saying:

Thank you, LORD, for everything you gave our brothers and sisters: a Church, a Patriarch, and the mountains of Lebanon. Here is the sweetness of Independence, taste it.

They all eat and pray from Zephaniah 3:14-20:
Shout for joy, O [Bet Moroon]!

Sing joyfully, O [Lebanon]!

Be glad and exult with all your heart, O [Maronites]!

The LORD has removed the judgment against you,

He has turned away your enemies;

The King of [kings], the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.

On that day, it shall be said to [the Church]: Fear not, O [Bet Moroon], be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love. He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals. I will remove disaster from among you, so that none may recount your disgrace. Yes, at that time I will deal with all who oppress you; I will save the lame, and assemble the outcasts; I will give them praise and renown in all the earth, when I bring about their restoration. At that time I will bring you home, and at that time I will gather you; for I will give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring about your restoration before your very eyes, says the LORD.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

DINNER

THE CUP OF SALVATION

After the dinner, the leader takes the second piece of bread, which was wrapped earlier, and eats it, saying:

Take the second piece of Lahmo wrapped in a cloth. For 1600 years, we were being nourished with the Bread of Life given to us through Maron, Bet Moroon, and the Maronite Church. Eat it in this “Thanksgiving”.

All recite:

Our Lady of Lebanon, pray for us.

St. Peter and St. Paul, pray for us.

St. Maron, pray for us.

350 Maronite Martyrs, pray for us.

St. John Maron, pray for us.

St. Sharbel, pray for us.

St. Rafqa, pray for us.

St. Nimatullah Hardini, pray for us.

Massabki brothers: Francis, Abed El-Moati, and Raphael, pray for us.

                                           

The leader takes the cup of wine, saying:

Take the cup of wine and drink from it. This is the cup of Salvation. Taste the joy of Salvation.

The woman brings the Feereh and gives to all (one spoon), saying:

Thank you, LORD, for everything you gave us: a Church, a Patriarch, and the mountains of Lebanon. Here is the sweetness of Salvation, taste it.

All conclude:

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

The family members applaud and greet each other, saying:
HAPPY TAUDITHO

                                                                  

HAPPY TAUDITHO

Fr. Antonio Georges Elfeghali ©

Copyright  2006

All Rights Reserved.