On this day when we recall your finding in the Temple in the midst of the teachers, teach us to devote our whole selves to God, for our lives make no sense without the Master and Creator.

Blessed are you, Jesus Christ our Lord and God, you chose to go up to the temple with Mary and Joseph to fulfill the law of the Passover, which you had previously established and placed in the hands of your prophets.

Dec. 25, 2024: 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. 22, 2024: 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. 15, 2024: 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. 8, 2024: 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. 1, 2024: 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.

Today we commemorate 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. 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. 17, 2024: 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.

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.

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.

Nov. 1, 2024: 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.

You pardoned, O Lord, the woman who sinned and gave the good thief the keys to new life. Protect and defend the Church by your cross. We sing and proclaim and praise you, O God.

We take refuge, Lord, in your saving cross. Keep evil away and spare us from sin. O Savior, we pray that you guard our souls. We call on your name, Christ Jesus our Lord.

“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

O Mary, we pray to you, blessed and purest One, help us in our need; you are always there for us.

We, poor sinners, turn to you, now and at the hour of death. You are free from sin; Holy Mary, full of grace.

Intercede and pray for us; Virgin Mother, show us love. May your Son, our Lord, grant us mercy, through your prayers.

O Mary, you who are called the Cedar of Lebanon, look down upon your children who today and always beg your guiding hand. Grant us the faith to withstand the sweeping blows of life as the cedar stands strong against the wind. Develop in us the hope of the resurrection. Dear Mother, increase our love: the love we should have for the Blessed Trinity, our filial love for you, and the love for our neighbor: not in theory, but in solid prayer and practice. We now kneel at your feet, dear Lady, begging for your blessing and beseeching your intercession to your Divine Son for all our church and government authorities, for ourselves, all our relatives and friends, and especially for peace in Lebanon and throughout the world.

 Our Lady, Queen of Lebanon, America, and the Universe, pray for us.

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.

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 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.