Syro-Malabar Catholic Mass
Today the regularly scheduled Sunday 5 pm Mass will be celebrated by Father Sunny Joseph, INOVA Fairfax Hospital Chaplain, according to the Syro-Malabar Rite.
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is one of the twenty-three churches (rites) in full communion with the Pope and the Catholic Church. Other examples of Eastern Churches (rites) in communion with the Pope and the Catholic Church include the Coptic, Byzantine or Ukrainian Rites. St. Ambrose Parish and the Diocese of Arlington are Latin (Roman) Rite Catholic.
As many as 5 million Indian Catholics belong to the Syro-Malabar Rite, which traces its origin to St. Thomas the Apostle, who arrived in India in 52 AD, was the first to preach the gospel among the people of India, and was later martyred near Chennai. This ancient Catholic liturgical tradition goes back to the first Christians in India who were taught by St. Thomas. Later, this liturgical tradition incorporated some East Syrian liturgical traditions.
This Mass is a one-time educational event to honor the anniversary of the dedication of our new church. This Mass fulfills your Sunday obligation. Latin (Roman) Rite Catholics may receive Holy Communion at this Mass under the same conditions as receiving Holy Communion at your normal Sunday Mass.
MASS PRAYERS and READINGS
If you would like to follow along with the prayers and readings for the Mass, please download the official Syro-Malabar app for your phone. The icon to look for in your device’s App Store is:
