The Divine Liturgy itself
We arrived after our almost 2 hour drive from Modesto right at the end of Morning Prayer, which is recited before the Liturgy. The greeters were glad to see us, as (1) they are not a large community (their bulletin listed that attendance the week before was 51 people), and (2) they are happy to share their traditions with others. We were excited to be part of a Catholic liturgy different from our normal one, and especially one that at least Tyson and I had seen was full of deep and meaningful prayer. As was described on Light of the East, a radio program about the Byzantine Catholics that is broadcast on Catholic radio stations on Sundays at 8:30 AM (at least in this area), the Eastern Catholics use a lot of words to describe things, especially God, but at times describing Him by explaining what He is not "indescribable, invisible, incomprehensible, ineffable, unfathomable, etc." To be honest, a lot in the West do the same; look at St. Francis' Petition for Holiness, where he uses those exact words.
In addition to the chanting, which includes the laity and not just the clergy, there are other differences in the Liturgy. In the Latin rite, we have intentions (for the Pope, etc.) only once, after the creed. Unless I counted wrong, there were 3 different times in which there were intentions prayed for (beginning with "Francis, the Bishop of Rome" for those of you who still don't believe that they are Catholic).
As I said earlier, the majority of the Liturgy is performed behind iconostasis with doors that open for those portions, such as the Gospels, the homily, blessings, etc. in which it takes place on our side of the doors. Unfortunately, because Father Anthony's parish is too big for their church, they borrow the Latin rite church of St. Albert the Great in Palo Alto, which is too big for them. That requires Father Anthony to bring his iconostasis (some of them) and try to recreate the actual walls. It gives a good imitation, but isn't quite the same (see the picture below from his actual parish).
The chanting, the words used in the prayers, the meaning behind all of the actions (including blessing oneself anytime that God is mentioned in any one of His persons: Father, Son or Holy Spirit) all takes one (if one is open to it) to a much higher place. It reminds me of when I attend a Latin high mass in Sacramento with an amazing Schola: everyone of my senses was taken up towards God.
In addition to the chanting, which includes the laity and not just the clergy, there are other differences in the Liturgy. In the Latin rite, we have intentions (for the Pope, etc.) only once, after the creed. Unless I counted wrong, there were 3 different times in which there were intentions prayed for (beginning with "Francis, the Bishop of Rome" for those of you who still don't believe that they are Catholic).
As I said earlier, the majority of the Liturgy is performed behind iconostasis with doors that open for those portions, such as the Gospels, the homily, blessings, etc. in which it takes place on our side of the doors. Unfortunately, because Father Anthony's parish is too big for their church, they borrow the Latin rite church of St. Albert the Great in Palo Alto, which is too big for them. That requires Father Anthony to bring his iconostasis (some of them) and try to recreate the actual walls. It gives a good imitation, but isn't quite the same (see the picture below from his actual parish).
The chanting, the words used in the prayers, the meaning behind all of the actions (including blessing oneself anytime that God is mentioned in any one of His persons: Father, Son or Holy Spirit) all takes one (if one is open to it) to a much higher place. It reminds me of when I attend a Latin high mass in Sacramento with an amazing Schola: everyone of my senses was taken up towards God.