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.
August 20, 2023: 13th Sunday of Glorious Pentecost
The apostles Jesus chose had been blessed by his great love.
At the Jordan they were called, filled with Spirit and with fire.
Then with strength they went forth preaching to the world
to restore the truth.
Verse from the Maronite hymn, Joyfully a Light Has Dawned
August 15: The Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin
Ancient tradition tells us and our own faith assures us of what the Church has solemnly proclaimed: the Virgin Mary has entered, body and soul, into heaven. After her death the Virgin Mother of God, without undergoing corruption, has entered heaven, by a special privilege of God, with her body glorified as was her Son’s. As God had preserved her from the stain of original sin, made her a mother and yet preserved her as a virgin, so also has he brought her to himself in her integral human nature of body and soul.
May our Virgin Mother intercede for us and may her prayers protect us. Amen.
From the Synaxarion for the Assumption of the Virgin, Maronite Divine Office.
August 15: The Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin
Ancient tradition tells us and our own faith assures us of what the Church has solemnly proclaimed: the Virgin Mary has entered, body and soul, into heaven. After her death the Virgin Mother of God, without undergoing corruption, has entered heaven, by a special privilege of God, with her body glorified as was her Son’s. As God had preserved her from the stain of original sin, made her a mother and yet preserved her as a virgin, so also has he brought her to himself in her integral human nature of body and soul.
May our Virgin Mother intercede for us and may her prayers protect us. Amen.
From the Synaxarion for the Assumption of the Virgin, Maronite Divine Office.
August 6, 2023: The Transfiguration of Our Lord
May we be worthy to praise, confess and glorify the bright Light of the eternal Father Who made known to us the triune mystery of divinity. Today He reveals Himself on Mount Tabor and shows His disciples the glory that was His from the beginning. Let us worship and bless Him, one holy God, Father, Son and Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
July 23, 2023 — The Feast of Saint Sharbel
Sharbel spends his nights awake until his eyes meet the light of dawn; in his heart he carries the heart of the world which longs for the heavenly light. Alleluia, what a wonderful hope!
“With your tears, you irrigate the earth,” said the Lord to Adam in Paradise. Sharbel irrigated the earth with his blood, melting himself like a candle. Alleluia, how blessed is he!
He is a saint from among us, from the heights of the cedars and the hearts of the rocks. O Sharbel, intercede for us; the Lord gave you the glory of Lebanon. Alleluia, protect Lebanon!
Psalm of the Readings, Maronite Divine Liturgy for Saint Sharbel, Fenqitho.
July 17, 2023: Feast day of Saint Marina
The life of man in patience is gained as the Bible says.
And everyone who is patient until the end is given the crown.
Hence we see in Saint Marina a proof.
She has gained the glory of joy through grace-filled patience
She saw the world as a heaving sea of punishment,
With the seafarers shipwrecked, overcome by evil consequences.
And that the monastic life is the safe port and the achiever of hopes.
Her spirit became captivated with love for the life of a hermit to calm the mind
July 10, 2023: The Feast of the Blessed Massabki Brothers
“We do not fear the one who kills the body…
a crown is prepared for us in heaven,…
we have our souls … and we do not wish
to lose them, we are Christians and we wish
to die as Christians.
Proclamation by Francis Massabki before his martyrdom, Jule 10, 1860
June 29, 2023: The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Glory to you, O Christ, on [the] feast of your apostles Peter and Paul, Inspire us to meditate on their lives, to assume their zeal and to be your witnesses by our lives.
May we bear your gospel by word and action, and deserve to glorify you one day with them in your kingdom, for ever.
Amen.
From the Morning prayer for Peter and Paul, Maronite Divine Office.
May 28, 2023 — The Feast of Pentecost
O God, enlighten our understanding with the rays of your Holy Spirit, and awaken our souls from the sleep of selfishness. May your rich gifts come upon us this morning, as they came upon the apostles in the upper room of Sion; we shall be strengthened by them and give witness to you today, all the days of our lives, and for ever.
Amen.
Morning Prayer for the Feast of Pentecost, Maronite Divine Office.
Praise, glory and honor to the One who ascended to heaven, but is always on earth in the mystery of his Church.
He seated himself at the right hand of the Father, but remains close to us in the sacrament of his love.
To the Good One is due glory and honor this morning, and all the days of our lives, now and for ever.
Amen.
From the Prayer of the Faithful, morning prayer Sixth Sunday of Resurrection
Thursday, May 18, 2023 (The Ascension of Our Lord)
O Christ, you left the Father and you came into the world, then you left the world and returned to your Father, in your strength, you brought all creation to him.
To him you returned power over all things so that God might be all in all.
Grant that we may ascend to him with you and remain at his right hand, then we shall praise you, with him, and your Holy Spirit, for ever.
Amen.
From the Prayer of the Faithful, Morning prayers for the Ascension of Our Lord.
May 15, 2023 (Our Lady of the Harvest)
Mary, you are the garden who has given the world the fruit of life. Ask your only Son to bless our seasons, harvests, and the work of our hands; may he show his word in our hearts and in our souls. May he grant this through your intercession, through the prayers and incense we offer him on this day of your feast; and we will give thanks to the glorious Trinity, now and for ever.
Amen.
From the Maronite Divine Office, Morning prayer for the Memorial of the Virgin Mary.
May 14, 2023 (Sixth Sunday of the Resurrection)
O Christ, may we always glorify your resurrection, especially on this day, with chaste heats, clear conciences and good deeds, so that we can sincerely proclaim it throughout the world.
May we live enlightened by it and die in the hope of our own resurrection.
Then we shall praise you in your heavenly kingdom, for ever.
Amen.
From the Prayer of the Faithful, Evening prayer.
May 7, 2023 (First Sunday of May)
As we praise and glorify with hymns the blessed ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, we ask her to petition her divine Son, saying: O Lord, through the prayers of Your Mother, keep away from earth and all its inhabitants the scourge of wrath; eliminate all its dangers and disturbances; protect us from war, captivity, famine and plague. Have compassion on our weakness, comfort our sick, help the poor and deliver the oppressed; enable us to lead holy lives; give rest to the faithful departed and grant us a happy death that we may glorify You, now and forever.
Amen.
From the Fenqitho, Common of the Virgin Mary
Jesus Christ our Lord, during this season of your glorious resurrection, make us worthy to live in joy and give you praise. Renew us with your Holy Spirit that we may proclaim, in word and deed, the glory of your resurrection. With all those who have been clothed with you in holy Baptism we worship you , we give you thanks, and we glorify you, your Father, and your Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
