What I Wore Sunday [or What is a Maronite]

I'm linking up with the ladies at Fine Linen and Purple for What I Wore Sunday. I've been wanting to do so for awhile, but getting to Mass on time is difficult enough without throwing in a photo shoot. My solution? A Monday re-creation of what I wore to Mass yesterday, and a little explanation. 

I am a Maronite Catholic. What is that, you say? Well, within what is commonly referred to as the Catholic Church there exists the Latin church and 22 other churches (notice the small "c"). Each has its own liturgy, hierarchy, and laws, yet they share the same profession of faith, the seven Sacraments, and the Roman Pontiff as their head. The Maronite church is one such church, and traces its origin to Antioch (modern day Turkey), one of the five centers of early Christianity. Beginning in the fifth century, the Maronite Christians went to Lebanon, at first to evangelize, and then increasingly to escape persecution by monophysite heretics. The seventh century saw the rise of Islam as a political and imperial force and the beginning of centuries of Islam / Maronite conflict. In modern day Lebanon, Maronites comprise the biggest group of the 39.9% Christian minority.

You are probably wondering how I became a Maronite. Well... by marriage. Maybe more on that later, but things have gone on too long in the word department as it is, so now for a few pics. Okay, a few more words.  Many of my fellow parishioners are immigrants from Lebanon, or are children of Lebanese parents. In case you don't know, Lebanese women are beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, and very well dressed. This doesn't mean that everyone wears dresses and skirts (though that is common), it means that most dress with the intention of dressing beautifully. Intimidating, I know. I was in a super rush yesterday, so I threw on what is a standby non-dress Sunday outfit for me: basic black top (v-neck t, in this case), simple dark trouser jeans, and camel colored boots. I finished it with a camel colored coat. What do you think?