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.
Glory to you, Son of God, you have made us rejoice in your manifestation as man, you have filled us with admiration by your wonders, words and deeds. Through your incarnation, you have elevated our nature, and sanctified it by your baptism. You received the witness of the Father:
”This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”
Dec. 25, 2023: 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. 24, 2023: 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. 17, 2023: 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. 10, 2023: The Birth of John the Baptist
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.
Dec. 3, 2023: 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 26, 2023: 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.
Jesus Christ our Lord, by your coming you perfected the Old Covenant and inaugurated the New Covenant. In your love, you betrothed the Church of all nations, and by your grace you built her foundation on Peter and the twelve apostles. Now make us worthy, on this feast of the Consecration and Renewal of the Church, to raise a hymn of praise and thanks to you, to your Father, and to your Holy Spirit, for ever.
Amen.
Sunday, Nov 5, 2023: Consecration of the Church
Rise up, and be adorned with light, O holy Church, because the wise Architect has placed your foundations on his rock and has reinforced your gates by his right hand.
Rise up and be adorned with light, because the Savior of the world has gathered all your children within your walls. the mighty One has chosen you for his dwelling place.
Rise up and be adorned with light, because the holy Lord has poured his holiness upon you and has chosen saints from among your children.
Rise up and be adorned with light, because the powerful Lord has exalted you and made you victorious over your enemies.
O Christ, Jesus our Lord, your cross has appeared resplendent in the sky and it will appear again at the end of time when you will return to judge the universe with justice.
May it appear over us this morning and shine its light on our hearts and spirits.
Then we shall see your glory and desire to encounter you carrying your cross.
We shall enter in the procession of light to praise you, for ever.
Shalita, who is also known as Artimius, was born in the fourth centuryAD. He achieved high rank in the Roman army and was eventually given responsibility for the Roman troops who were stationed in Egypt. He remained a faithful Christian despite the danger of losing his position and even his life. He was summoned before the emperor in Antioch for having destroyed the temples and idols of the pagan gods. It is said that his body was taken to Constantinople by Arista, who was a deaconess of the church in Antioch.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Lord, may your cross guard your holy faithful Church everywhere throughout the world.
Keep all scandal far from her; keep her free from harm and strife, that your lasting peace may reign for all ages yet to come.
May the children of the Church find their shelter and their strength in the shadow of your cross.
Sarkis and Bacchus were two courageous leaders of the Roman army. They died for the Christian faith around 307AD. Devotion to them was very popular in the east and Christian Arabs drew the images of Saints Sarkis and Bacchus on their banners. A great church was built at Rosafa, known as the town of Sarkis, in his honor. Devotion to these two Saints is still very vibrant in Lebanon and there are numerous churches there dedicated to them. May their prayers be with us. Amen.
Rouhanna was born at Corinth 446AD and became a monk in Palestine under the direction of Saint Euthymus. He became the superior of his monastery and was a model for all because of his piety, wisdom and exhortations. He died at the age of 107. Many churches and monasteries in Lebanon are dedicated to him. May his prayers protect us. Amen.
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.
