September 1, 2024: 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.

Glory to the one descended and settled upon the upper room; he gave learning to the ignorant and wisdom to simple hearts.

Come, let us praise the Lord who descended upon the upper room, let us sing to God our Savior who gave wisdom to simple hearts.

Glory be to the Shepherd who enriched his flock with priests and bishops, with altars and offerings.

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.

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, 2024: 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.

“In a time when the region is enduring immense suffering, the words and actions of Blessed Estephan Douaihy offer a profound message to his homeland. As a patriarch during a delicate period of persecution, he experienced the pain of being forced to flee repeatedly, and even endured disrespect and physical assault. Despite these hardships, he stood as a beacon of resilience and faith, embodying the endurance and suffering of Christ.”

July 31, 2024: 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, 2024 — 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, 2024: 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, 2024: The Feast of the Blessed Massabki Brothers

“These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelations 7:14)

The canonization of the blessed Massabki brothers will take place on October 20, 2024 in the Vatican

Jesus Christ our Lord, you are the radiance of the Eternal Father. You enlightened the world with your divine teachings and filled it with knowledge through the simplicity of your apostles. Make us worthy to praise you as we celebrate the feast of your chosen apostles Peter and Paul. By their witness, may we come to understand your hidden mysteries and keep your life-giving commandments, that we may be made worthy to share in their happiness. We raise glory and thanks you you, to your Father, and to your Holy Spirit, for ever.

June 24, 2024: The Birth of John the Baptist

Come in peace, Mediator of the two testaments. You perfected them both, for the old was yours to complete, and the new was yours to announce.

Come in peace, prophet and apostle. For truly you are the last of the prophets and the first among apostles.

Come in peace, great priest. Your birth was greeted with signing and dancing, and with a dance and a song, your martyr’s crown was won.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who by a new love have been pleased to overflow your Church by the bounties of your divine heart. Grant us the power to reward the love of that Sacred Heart, and by the right dignity to compensate for the insults committed by the unfaithful to this sorrowful heart.

Who can fully comprehend God as Holy Trinity? So great is this mystery far beyond our scrutiny! The Father, before all time, begot the Son, the Eternal Word. The Begotten Son took flesh from the holy Virgin’s womb. The Spirit was sent to give courage and perfect. All creation worships him, the Lord of all in three persons, one true God.

May 19, 2024 — 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.

A new priesthood was bestowed at Christ’s ascension. Laying hands upon the heads of his apostles, he said to them:

"Go and make disciples of the world; baptize them in faith: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one and true God. I ascend now to the right of God my Father."

Alleluia! Our prayers, Lord, receive.

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 5, 2024 (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

Mark was the son of a Christian named Mary, whose home in Jerusalem became the place of gatherings for Christians (Acts 12:12). He was also a relative of Barnabas, the Cypriot levite. He traveled with Paul and Barnabas, in order to preach the gospel. The establishment of the Church of Alexandria is attributed to him. He was martyred at Alexandria on Easter Day around the year 70.

George, a Christian officer in the Roman army, consecrated his life to defend the Church, (which is symbolized in icons of him as the daughter of a king) against the attacks of Satan (the dragon). According to tradition he was martyred in the third century for his faith in Christ and was buried at Lydda in Palestine.

The Cathedrals of Beirut and Sarba are dedicated to him as are a great number of other sanctuaries throughout Lebanon. He is the patron of England, the army, young people and scouts.