The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

On this feast, the Maronite Church celebrates the Rite of the Cross, which is a service of adoration of the cross, the sign of our salvation. This feast which comes at the end of the annual liturgical cycle is also directed toward the second coming of Christ, who carries his cross of light and triumph. It is this theme which is the object of the readings and prayers of the seven weeks which follow and which close the liturgical year. Adoration and honor to the cross of our Savior! Glory and praise to Christ our God, for ever!

Amen.

September 14, 2023: 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

O Lord, through the prayers of your Mother, keep away from the earth and its people the devastation of wrath and all dangers, dissension, war, famine, and epidemics. Have compassion on us, heal the sick, help the poor, save the oppressed, grant rest to the faithful departed who have left us and gone to you, and make us worthy of a safe and peaceful death, that we may raise glory to you, to your Father, and to your Holy Spirit, for ever.

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.

St. Roch, the patron saint of dogs, lived from around 1295 to 1327 in France, Spain, and Italy. His feast day is celebrated on August 16th. Saint Roch also serves as the patron saint of bachelors, surgeons, disabled people, and people who have been falsely accused of crimes.

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 31, 2022: 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.

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

From an Ode to Saint Marina, the Woman Monk of Qannoubin

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

July 2, 2023 (Sixth Sunday of Glorious Pentecost)

When the apostles, filled with the Spirit,
went through the whole world preaching the Good News,
nations were brought back to their Creator.
And now all peoples sing of God’s glory.

Verse from the Maronite Hymn, “As Aaron Offered Incense”

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.

June 24, 2023 The Birth of John the Baptist

This is the man sent by God as a witness to the Light.
With his baptism of water he announced the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The old was brought to an end; what was new began.

Praises to John the Baptist Korozooto from Fenqitho, A Treasury of Feasts

Alleluia! Let us praise the Lord.
Early Sunday morning heaven sings with joy and the earth is glad, for the Lord is truly risen from the dead.
On his Father’s right, he sits upon his throne; angels worship him.

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.