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So, I went to my first non-Tridentine Liturgy. It was actually held in an historical chapel attached to the modern church so it had that ancient feel already- wooden floors in a small chapel with brown brick walls built right after the end of the US cινιℓ ωαr. Huge surprise that the UGCC was allowed to use it. They have a mission here once a month. The Liturgy was standing and in English (first vernacular Liturgy ever attended). There were icons brought in to give it that Eastern feel and the priest offered the Liturgy with his back to the people. The words were totally Catholic praying for the end of heresy and at least 4 distinct times to the Theotokos Our Blessed Mother, also mentioning how the Liturgy was both the Last Supper and the Sacrifice of Calvary. No doubt could exist that the faithful believed in the Real Presence and that a true consecration took place. The sermon was totally orthodox dealing with martyrdom and persecutions of Christians and living a true Christian life at odds with the world-if the world doesn't hate you, you must not be living or preaching the Gospel (think Bergoglio?). Nothing but pure Catholicism. I'll be going back whenever possible.

Holy Communion was taken standing, as I learned is customary in the East. The Body was mixed with the Blood and was slightly warm. They were put into the receiver's mouth with a spoon while a cloth was held under by the servers. It was like attending a standing Tridentine Mass in the vernacular but with all these other elements. For example, the priest walked around and through the chapel once holding the Word of God (either Sacred Scripture, the Gospels or Divine Liturgy) and again when he was presenting the gifts (wine and bread to be consecrated). There is a noticeable version of the Sursum Corda which is basically identical. The Our Father was at the same point of the Liturgy but instead of a confiteor the cantor led a different prayer that could be thought of as the Eastern version-though very different-, I'd like to find the text of that prayer. It was the only part of the Liturgy that was not chanted. We probably crossed ourselves no less than 40 times and from left to right as is customary and many times Lord Have Mercy and the responses Peace be with you- and with your spirit. After the Liturgy the faithful could kiss the cross that the priest held during the sermon and after the Liturgy, those who didn't receive Holy Communion could take a piece of blessed bread.

I've found at least two more Catholic Eastern rites in the area. There is the Syro-malabar (an ancient rite from India). I'm a bit cautious to attend this Liturgy. I suspect it could have been tampered with by Modernists. I would have to investigate further before attending.

But there is also a large Coptic community in my area. Apparently, most of them are Ortho-schismatics and have their own bishop. But there is also a Catholic Coptic community which now has a resident priest. From what I was able to find out about the Catholic Coptics, they are extremely Traditional and a lot of emphasis is given to the Real Presence in the Eucharist. I haven't decided exactly when, but I am definitely planning to attend the Coptic Catholic Liturgy.

So, I went to my first non-Tridentine Liturgy. It was actually held in an historical chapel attached to the modern church so it had that ancient feel already- wooden floors in a small chapel with brown brick walls built right after the end of the US cινιℓ ωαr. Huge surprise that the UGCC was allowed to use it. They have a mission here once a month. The Liturgy was standing and in English (first vernacular Liturgy ever attended). There were icons brought in to give it that Eastern feel and the priest offered the Liturgy with his back to the people. The words were totally Catholic praying for the end of heresy and at least 4 distinct times to the Theotokos Our Blessed Mother, also mentioning how the Liturgy was both the Last Supper and the Sacrifice of Calvary. No doubt could exist that the faithful believed in the Real Presence and that a true consecration took place. The sermon was totally orthodox dealing with martyrdom and persecutions of Christians and living a true Christian life at odds with the world-if the world doesn't hate you, you must not be living or preaching the Gospel (think Bergoglio?). Nothing but pure Catholicism. I'll be going back whenever possible.

Yes, that lines up with my experience exactly.  There can be no question that they have the Catholic faith.  Are some of their priests a bit liberal?  Sure.  But probably no different than what you would find in Roman Rite parishes in the 1940s and 1950s.

I believe that the Ukrainian Catholics were spared the ravages of V2 by God ... because this mercy was purchased through the deaths of the millions of Catholic martyrs they had under Stalin.