The Immaculate Conception Chaldean Mission
Hosted by Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 270 Elliot Street, Newton, MA 02464
Organizational Links:
The Chaldean Church can be described as one of 23 Eastern Rite Churches who have full communion with the Roman Pontiff. The Chaldean Catholics themselves are an ethno-religious community who trace their roots to the historical region situated within the Tigris and Euphrates River system which is often called, "The Cradle of Civilization", "The Fertile Crescent", or simply Mesopotamia. Christianity was brought to this ancient land in the 1st century by Thomas the Apostle and several of his disciples. Today, these same regions (modern day northern Iraq and southeastern Turkey) are experiencing serious upheaval and many people have sought asylum in the United Sates. The Chaldean community finds a welcome home at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Catholic Church in Newton, Massachusetts.
Historically, the Chaldean Church is one of four churches which claim patrimony from the "Church of the East." (The other three are The Assyrian Church of the East, The Ancient Assyrian Church of the East, and The Syro-Malabar Church.) All four developed from the Mesopotamian Ancient Churches and were formed by Mar Addai (St. Addai) and Mar Mari (St. Mari) who were students of St. Thomas. Legally, the Chaldean Church maintains a "Sui Juris" (independent) status and is headed by the Chaldean Patriarchate who resides in Baghdad, Iraq, with Eparchies (Dioceses) around the world. The largest population of Chaldean Catholics found outside the Middle East is located in Michigan and so it is from Detroit that Bishop Francis Yohana Kalabat leads the U.S. Eparchy. The Chaldean Rite of Mass employs Arabic (the language of Christ) and therefore predates Greek, Latin and any vernacular language. In these ways, the Chaldean Church expresses and retains her identity, traditions and liturgy. Click here for perspectives on the Chaldean Church. Click here to see further structures and locations of the Chaldean Church.
In the past century The Chaldean Church has experienced a range of conditions including periods of stability, growth and crisis. As recently as 1990, the population surged to six million members. After multiple wars and genocidal persecutions, the Catholic population in Iraq currently hovers at approximately 200,000 people. See these links from the US Bishops and the Vatican to learn more about this important issue: US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholics in the Middle East, Holy See Press Release, Humanitarian Crisis. Locally, Deacon Sermed Ashkouri organizes the worshiping community and assists priests of the Archdiocese of Boston in offering the ancient and venerable Chaldean Liturgy. Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church warmly welcomes The Immaculate Conception Chaldean Mission.
