O Lord, today we are gathered to celebrate your holy and righteous ones By their prayers grant us pardon and repentance and make us worthy of their destiny in heaven.

Simeon, the faithful one, held the Son of God, made man, whom his parents brought this day to the temple of the Lord. He took him into his arms and spoke good news, giving thanks to God.

“I have seen, with my own eyes, the Redeemer of the world. Dismiss me in peace, for the nations have been saved.”

This has been fulfilled by Christ, the Lord of all, who was born from Mary’s womb.

Blessed are you O priests who left this passing world trusting in God’s mercy. May the body of Christ that you bore, the baptism with which you were clothed and the mysteries that you administrated enable you to escape eternal torments, inherit life and enter in to the kingdom.

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.

Nov. 13, 2022: The Announcement to Zechariah

The Season of Announcement is a commemoration of those events surrounding and culminating with the incarnation of Jesus. The season opens with the announcement to Zechariah that John, the Forerunner of Jesus, was to be born.

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.

Nov. 1, 2022: All Saints Day

On this day we call to mind all the men and women, children of the Church, who have followed the path of righteousness. We remember the prophets, apostles and martyrs, the hermits, ascetics, men and women religious, as well as all Christians who have led holy lives.

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.