In light of the dangerous escalation of armed conflicts in Lebanon and the Middle East, accompanied by the fall of innocent victims, the displacement of families, and the worsening of humanitarian suffering, the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon expresses its deep concern over the current situation and over the risk that the region may slide into wider confrontations with grave consequences for its peoples.
Our Patriarch, Bechara Peter Cardinal Rai has issued his Message for your Lenten journey. I pray that each of us will draw closer to Christ Jesus this Lent and always.
As we prepare for the joy of the Resurrection during Holy Lent, I invite you to reflect upon Saint Francis’ prayer, sacrifice and love for the poor as Pope Leo XIV proclaimed 2026 a special Jubilee Year in remembrance of the 800th anniversary of his death. Although most of us will not live out radical poverty like Saint Francis, we can still participate in his profound accompaniment and charity towards others by making a sacrificial gift.
In light of the dangerous escalation of armed conflicts in Lebanon and the Middle East, accompanied by the fall of innocent victims, the displacement of families, and the worsening of humanitarian suffering, the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon expresses its deep concern over the current situation and over the risk that the region may slide into wider confrontations with grave consequences for its peoples.
As we prepare for the joy of the Resurrection during Holy Lent, I invite you to reflect upon Saint Francis’ prayer, sacrifice and love for the poor as Pope Leo XIV proclaimed 2026 a special Jubilee Year in remembrance of the 800th anniversary of his death. Although most of us will not live out radical poverty like Saint Francis, we can still participate in his profound accompaniment and charity towards others by making a sacrificial gift.
Dear Friend in Christ, I would like to ask you to consider helping Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Seminary. The Seminary is located near Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Since its establishment in 1961, over 80 men who graduated from the Seminary have been ordained priests to serve throughout the United States, including two bishops.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has called for a Jubilee Year December 24, 2024, through December 28, 2025. He has asked us to be "pilgrims of hope" during this year and to deepen our personal encounter with Christ. Therefore, with a whole-hearted affirmation, I have decided to embrace the Jubilee Year with the following Eparchial requests of clergy, religious and laity
Attached you will find our 2025 Eparchial liturgical desk calendar. The Sunday and Holy Day observances, as well as the commemoration of Feast Days of the Saints, are faithfully taken from the official 2025 Maronite liturgical calendar prepared each year by the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission in Lebanon.
Our Maronite Church is on the verge of announcing the beatification of Patriarch Estephan El Douaihy of Ehden, "a beacon of knowledge and holiness." He is a "beacon of knowledge" as evidenced by his writings in all fields: historical, theological, liturgical, and others. He is the greatest Maronite Patriarch, unparalleled and will remain so, with his scholarly personality: philosophical, theological, liturgical, and historical, and his sharp intelligence since his school years and beyond.
On this occasion, we invite you to encourage the members of your dioceses and parishes (parishes - brotherhoods - associations - organizations...) to participate in the celebration of the proclamation of the venerable Estephan El Douaihy as Blessed.
Please note that the official email of our chancery has been changed, effective immediately. The new email address is: chancery@stmaron.org
Please use this email for all chancery correspondence.
The Most Reverend Bishop Gregory J. Mansour presided at the joyful dedication of the Saint Sharbel Spiritual Life Center on April 13, 2024. He was joined by Bishop David A. Zubik of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and more than 200 invited guests, including numerous clergy members, religious and lay visitors from near and far.
Cir.23.58
Dear Brother Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons, Consecrated Men and Women.
Attached and below please find a message from Father Albert Constantine, Chancellor for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon. We are grateful to Fr Michael Shami for his work on the Ordo of the Divine Office.
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Begin forwarded message:
From: Albert Constantine
Date: October 27, 2023 at 6:48:13 PM EDT
Subject: Office Ordo
Dear Monsignors and Fathers,
I pray you are all well.
With gratitude to Father Michael Shami, Director of the Office of Liturgy, please find attached the Office Ordo for the remainder of 2023 and 2024.
If you need more information, please let me know.
Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Fr. Albert Constantine
Chancellor
Circular #23.53
Dear Brother Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons, Consecrated Men and Women, Lay Faithful,
Please join me in a day of prayer and fasting for the good people in harm’s way in the Middle East.
Please forward the attached letter on your social media platforms, and may Our Lady of Peace intercede for us.
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We join Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and all the Ordinaries of the Holy Land in calling for a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer on October 17th. Read Cardinal Pizzaballa's statement at: ow.ly/GJaM50PW4Ea pic.twitter.com/a1rR08w795
