This week Patriarch Elias Howayek will be beatified in the Patriarchal Residence in Diman, Lebanon. There is something special about our Maronite Patriarchs. In particular, Blessed Estephan Douaihy and soon-to-be Blessed Elias Howayek.
July 31, 2025: The Feast of the Three Hundred and Fifty Maronite Martyrs
While on the road, not far from home, the three hundred and fifty monks were martyred for their steadfast faith. These faithful sons defended truth and gave their lives so willingly for love of Christ, true God and man.
January 22, 2023 — 3rd Sunday after the Glorious Epiphany
May we be worthy to praise, confess and glorify the only hidden Father Who thundered from the heavens and acknowledged His only beloved and praiseworthy Son; the only Son Who was revealed at the river and baptized by His servant; the only Holy Spirit Who was seen in heaven and on earth in order to make known His Chosen One.
Jan. 15, 2023: Feast of Our Lady of the Sowing
Alleluia!
In the land of Ephesus the dew was falling when John wrote and taught the Church to honor Mary three times a year. January when we plant the seeds, May for all the wheat, and the month of August for the grapes we harvest.
Mary, these three feasts depict the life God gives us.
Alleluia! We ask for your prayers.
Jan. 8, 2023: The First Sunday after the Glorious Epiphany of Our Lord
Almighty God and Savior Jesus Christ, You are the Merciful One Who inclined Your everlasting mercy to the salvation of our weak and feeble race. For the sake of mankind You became Man of the holy Virgin Mary. From the Magi and shepherds You received mystical and royal gifts. You were baptized in the Jordan River by John, Your forerunner, so that, by Your baptism, water would be made holy for us unto a new birth.
Jan. 6, 2023: The Glorious Epiphany of Our Lord
Today, the light of the Father appeared in the waters of the Jordan.
Heaven and earth were astounded when John poured water on your head.
Today the Father’s voice was heard: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,” and the Holy Spirit hovered above the head of the Son in the form of a dove.
Jan. 1, 2023: The Circumcision of Jesus
Alleluia!
“Peace I give to you, my peace that lasts for ever. Let my Spirit and my love remain among you. Be not afraid.
Just believe in me and that I live, and then live in me. In the world you will encounter tribulation. I have overcome the world, so you may have peace.”
Alleluia! May God grant us peace.
(Verse from God’s Great Glory Shines, Maronite hymn)
Dec. 25, 2022: The Glorious Birth of Our Lord
God sent his only Son from the heavens to the earth as the Light for all the world.
God’s Word has hid himself in the Virgin Mary’s womb, and from her he took his flesh.
His star was seen on high, shining brightly in the East, as foretold in Balaam’s words.
Wise men, led by the star to the place where Jesus lay, honored him with finest gifts.
Praise him! Praise him! Praise him, Our Lord!
(verse from Arsal Allah, Maronite Christmas hymn)
Dec. 18, 2022: The Genealogy of Jesus
“The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The Lord our justice”
For thus says the Lord: Never shall David lack a successor on the throne of the house of Israel, nor shall priests of Levi ever be lacking. (Jeremiah 33: 14-17)
Dec. 11, 2022: The Revelation to Joseph
Joseph was called to be the humble servant of God, Jesus and Mary. He would do all his duties in silence. He would serve, protect, provide and die before even seeing a miracle. His entire life became one of love, immolation, sacrifice, work and self-effacement.
Joseph has often been compared to the Joseph of the Old Testament, the son of Jacob. As Joseph of the Old Testament saved Egypt and its neighbors, may the Joseph of the New Testament save the Church and all those who come to him. “Go to Joseph.” He has the riches of the King! The king has entrusted to him the distribution of his goods!”
Dec. 4, 2022: The Birth of John the Baptizer
The prophet Malachi says, “I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me” (Mk 1, 2; Lk 7, 27). This messenger is John the Baptist. He ended the law and the prophets and was praised by the Lord himself. John was praised as superior to all the faithful of the Old Testament.
Nov 20, 2022: The Visitation to Elizabeth
Impelled by the Spirit of God, Mary left on a journey that required four days of difficult travel, especially for a poor girl such as herself. Yet, as the Mother of God and our Mother, she was already concerned for the welfare of others.
Mary is blessed, not simply because she was to be the Mother of God, but also because of her own personal faith. She heard the words of the angel and accepted everything that was to happen with humility. For this reason, she is blessed throughout the ages.
Nov 20, 2022: The Announcement to Mary
The second Sunday of the Season of Announcement commemorates the announcement to Mary that she is to be the Mother of God. The feast actually recalls two aspects of the same salvific mystery: the incarnation of the divine Word and the motherhood of Mary. For this reason, the feast was given different names according to the aspect which was being emphasized. With time, the incarnation of the Son of God was stressed on the feast of the Birth of Our Lord and today’s feast became a Marian feast.
Sunday, Nov 6, 2022: Consecration of the Church
Through the outpouring of the Spirit of Christ, the Church has come into being and continues the mission of Christ in the world. It is now the Church which proclaims to mankind God’s saving love for the world.
The Sunday of the Consecration of the Church invites individual Christians to renew their personal consecration to the Lord and his Church, and to strive to realize God’s kingdom on earth.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ
September 26: Feast of St. John the Evangelist
John began as a disciple of John the Baptizer. Later he became a follower of Jesus and his beloved disciple. During the Last Supper it was John who rested his head on the chest of the Lord and followed him up to the cross. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
From the Synaxarion for John the Apostle, Maronite Prayer of the Faithful
September 18, 2022: The Flight of the Lord Jesus to Egypt
Hail to you, O blessed angel who accompanied the Savior and defended Him from all misfortune!
Hail to you, O virgin who cared for the virgin, the daughter of the Father and spouse of the Holy Spirit!
Hail to you, O luminous star in the heavenly Church; you guide her children along the right path!
Praises to St. Joseph from the Divine Liturgy on his feast day (March 19), Fenqitho.
September 14, 2022: The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Blessed are you, O hold wood of the cross, symbol of power and honor;
Blessed are you, O cross of Christ, raised in our churches and at the head of our processions as a sign of victory.
Proclamation from the Exaltation of the Cross morning prayer, Maronite Divine Office
September 8: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today the Church honors Mary, who is blessed among women, and considers this day as the beginning of our salvation in her Son, Jesus Christ. The name, “Mary”, comes from Aramaic and signifies either “the elevated one” or “queen of the sea”. May the prayers of the Virgin, our Queen, protect us. Amen.
From the Synaxarion for the Birthof the Virgin, Maronite Prayer of the Faithful.
September 1, 2022: Saint Simeon the Stylite
When Simeon set to work on his pillar, he dug deep foundations; for the deeper the foundations, the higher the building will rise. Simeon’s foundation was prayer, austerity and constant penance. Unbelievers were converted by his preaching. A monastery and city grew up around his pillar. What was once a desert wasteland became a sanctuary of prayer and devotion for multitudes. He healed the sick, reconciled the angry, brought peace to the troubled and demanded justice for the poor and imprisoned. When he was censured for his extravagant way of life, he pointed to the praying crowds below and said “God has put to use even my foolish extravagance.”
From the Sedro of the Feast of Saint Simeon, the Younger, Fenquitho.
