CAPTIVATED BY YOUR TEACHINGS

A Resource Book by Rev. Anthony J. Salim about Maronite Syriac Catholics

By: Bar Lebnon

This book is not only for Maronite Catholics but also for all people who want to know more about one of the rich Traditions of the Catholic Church. There are many ways to be a Catholic. When people think of Catholicism, they too often think that the Tradition
of Roman Catholicism is the only way that Catholics live out their faith commitment. However; this couldn't be further from the truth.

There are in fact many Catholics whose spiritual, liturgical, historical, even disciplinary Traditions are closer to the Eastern Traditions of the Church and to the Eastern origins of Christianity. Fr. Salim has written a pastoral text that attempts to explain
for the general reader how the Catholic Faith is expressed in one of these ancient Churches, the Syriac-Maronite Catholic Church. With theological roots in ancient Antioch, third most important city in the Roman Empire, and organized in defending the pivotal teachings of the Council for Chalcedon, Maronite Catholics take their name and heritage from St. Maron, a monk and holy man of Syria of the fifth century. Fr. Salim has explored how this Eastern Church, which has never separated from communion with the Sea of Rome, is attempting to renew itself in light of its proper sources and after the Second Vatican Council.

A must for anyone seeking to expand her or his knowledge of what it means to be fully Catholic today. "His work is a true testimony of our Church praxis here in the States. At the same time it is a window for those who want to look inside that Church, and, through it, inside the Eastern mind in general. It helps the reader to reflect, compare, adjust and
face a different sensitivity in front of the same beliefs and truths.
 

We all learn from it, we are all called to be "captivated" in one way or another by the immense, diverse and surprising treasures of the church's teachings. I would like to see his work placed in the hands of clergy and laity, especially those who are directly involved in religious education and training for children as well as for adults. I hope it is a first stone of a higher building in this field." ---The Rev. Stephen H. Doueihi, Ordinary of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn.
 

In almost 500 informative pages, the author presents 'the teachings of the Catholic Church, through the eyes, heart and soul of the Maronite Tradition' (Introduction). Captivated by Your Teachings is a necessary catechetical resource for all Eastern Christians in order to understand better the diversity among the Eastern Churches.
Use of this monumental work will help all Catholics, Eastern and Western, no matter to what particular church of the Catholic Communion of Churches they belong, understand what it means to be Church. Those from the Byzantine tradition will be brought to a new awareness of the other Eastern Catholic churches by the reading of this text.