About Us
Values, Mission & Vision
Our Lady of Lebanon Sanctuary belongs to the Maronite Patriarchate and the Holy See represented by the Apostolic Nunciature in Lebanon who entrusted its administration to the Congregation of Lebanese Maronite Missionaries since its foundation in 1904. The shrine guardians constitute an apostolic missionary group, in accordance with constitution of the Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries.
This Sanctuary is:
An International Pilgrimage Site
Our Lady of Lebanon Sanctuary, one of the most important centers in the world for honoring Virgin Mary, draws thousands of believers from all over the world each year. As one of the Marian International Sanctuaries, it advocates for peace, and AIDS, breast cancer, diabetes, and drug addiction victims, and road safety, etc. during some of the World Days observed by the Holy-See and the UNO.
A National Site
As this Sanctuary is considered to be the ultimate place for honoring the Virgin Mary by both Christians and Muslims, its guardians host regular workshops to promote Lebanese internal reconciliation and nurture communication among all communities, thus strengthening concepts of acceptance of others, appreciation of diversity, and community life. From its location in Daroun-Harissa, Our Lady of Lebanon Sanctuary also aims at insuring the social development of surrounding communities and villages.
A Holy Place
Honoring the Virgin Mary is a major element of the spiritual life of the vast majority of believers, regardless of the religious community they would belong to. Consequently, the missionaries in charge of the administration of Our Lady of Lebanon Sanctuary work at positively reinforcing relations among all local Churches as well as different Christian communities and apostolic movements. They undertake developing spiritual and pastoral relations with all Church groups, dioceses and parishes of Lebanon by making the shrine a place open to the Church’s activities, helping it fulfill its goals, and spreading volunteering as a religious value. Through these accomplishments, the Sanctuary aims at intensifying believers’ spiritual life and contributing to the salvation of their souls.
A Marial Sanctuary
Relying on the theory as well as the practice of Mariology, guardians of the Sanctuary provide proper understanding and honoring of the Blessed Virgin. They focus on the lead of Virgin Mary of believers towards Jesus as well as on her veneration, the reverence and worship of God and the sound interpretation of the Catholic Church regarding miracles, visions, vows and other forms of piety.
A Touristic Place
Amidst a pine forest, overlooking the Bay of Jounieh, one of the most attractive panoramic views in the world, Our Lady of Lebanon Sanctuary is famous for its geographical location. The Ministry of Tourism has classified it as one of the most beautiful touristic sites in Lebanon, and works on attracting both Arab and foreign tourists.
The Sanctuary, a founder and active member of the “Association for the Development of Pilgrimage and Religious Tourism”, promotes the culture of religious tourism amongst Lebanese residents and emigrants as well as visiting tourists. It offers Christian and non-Christian visitors the opportunity to discover the principles of Christianity, the oriental ecclesiastic treasures and the position held by the Blessed Mary within the Church.
Administration
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Rector
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Father Younen OBEID, M.L.
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Vice Rector
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Father Khalil ALWAN, M.L.
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Treasury
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Father Antonios EL BAZOUNY, M.L.
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Secretary of Religious community
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Father Youhanna Yechouh EL KHOURY, M.L.
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Member of Religious community
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Father Philipe YAZBECK, M.L.
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Member of Religious community
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Father Elie ANDARI, M.L.
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Member of Religious community
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Father Sami RACHED, M.L.
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Member of Religious community
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Father Habib KALAKECH, M.L.
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Member of Religious community
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Father Saiid IRANI, M.L.
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Our Churches
Mother of light’s church
This little chapel is the famous place of worship and contains the statue of the Mother of the light sculptured on the Century Anniversary of the Immaculate Conception and fifty years after founding the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in 1904.
This chapel forms the lower section of the tower upon which the statue of Our Lady of Lebanon stands.
On the occasion of 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, the statue of the Mother of Light has visited more than 426 villages across Lebanon between late May and late October 1954. Then in 2013 and to occasion of the consecration of Lebanon at the heart of the Virgin Mary, the same statue visited, in the second round, 333 towns and villages in Lebanon.
Basilica
The idea of building a large church in the vicinity of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon was originally conceptualized in the sixties. The Shape of the Basilica is a cross between a Lebanese cedar tree and a Phoenician ship. Thanks to its hefty dimensions, 115 meters long, 67 meters wide, while its dome rises 62 meters above the ground, it stands out on top of a mountain that overlooks the famous city jounieh. It can seat up to 3500 comfortably, all of whom can contemplate the original sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon through a twenty-meter wide and forty-two meter high glass window behind the altar. Since the 1980’s, many religious ceremonies have been celebrated in the Basilica, especially, during May, the holy month of Mary. The Pope John-Paul II visited the Basilica 10th of May 1997.
The Basilica was renovated in 2013 and was rededicated on the occasion of the consecration of Lebanon at the heart of the Virgin Mary, 16 July 2013.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Located beneath the frontal part of the Basilica, it was originally called a crypt. His Holiness Pope John Paul II dedicated this chapel a statue of the Virgin of Lourdes.
Today, it bears the name of our Lady of Lourdes. The stained glass window portrayed to the left and right of the Altar, the Holy Family and the Twelve Apostles.
It can accommodate up to 300 people seated.
Forgiveness Chapel
The stained glass windows and marbled floors contribute to its exquisite architecture. The stained glass window behind the Altar depicts Jesus carrying the lost sheep on his shoulders. Our Lady of LebanonInaugurated on 1997, is the most recent Chapel in the complex of
As depicted, many come to the Forgiveness Chapel seeking spiritual guidance and confession.
Our Lady of Lebanon Statue
The location of the Shrine which overlooks the Bay of Jounieh is considered one of the world’s most beautiful sceneries.
The statue made with molten Bronze, painted white, gave the statue more splendor and clarity. The statue is 8.50m in height, 5.50m in perimeter and weighs 15 tons.
One of the most beautiful art pieces that portray the Virgin Mary manufactured in France. The statue was elevated in 1908 above the principal sanctuary. It is made up of seven sections that were assembled on top of the stone base which has the shape of a trunk, with a bottom perimeter of 64m, an upper perimeter of 12m and with an overall height of 20m.
The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries
The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries is a clerical congregation, of Patriarchal right, whose sons have professed the vows of the three evangelical counsels of obedience, chastity and poverty, in accordance with the sacred laws. It undertakes its spiritual and apostolic activities in harmony with the local ecclesiastical hierarchy in order to spread the faith and maintain it in our Maronite Church and the Universal Church. (CMLM Constitutions No. 1).
The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries was established at Al-Kreim Monastery – Ghosta in 1865, through the prompt efforts of Father Youhanna Al-Habib (Later on, Honorary Bishop of Nazareth) with the help of many zealous priests, foremost of whom is Father Estephan Qozzah, the first Superior General and the spiritual father of the fledgling Congregation. “The most specific of reasons that prompted me to found the Congregation of Missionaries is my view that our present epoch has need for priests zealous for the spiritual welfare of the neighbor, detached from all but the endeavors at hand, preparing themselves, devoting their attention to this strive of formidable stature” (from the writings of the founder).
Motivated by zeal for the glory of God and the serving of his people, the Congregation committed itself since its inception to the mission in its broader sphere, especially in the fields of the service of the Word and catechesis aimed at proclaiming the mystery of Christ, realizing the Gospel of salvation, and supplying the people with every spiritual endeavor beneficial for their salvation.
‘A soldier’ for the sake of God and His kingdom, the mission is not limited to a field excluding others, but, extends from preaching and propagating the Gospel through all ways and means, to spiritual accompaniment in all its varieties, to the fields of education and enculturation of the youth at all levels, without any social class or faith discrimination.
The Congregation is vigilant in providing the best means for an integrated human, priestly and apostolic formation, in all its dimensions and at all levels and stages. For the assurance of bringing this sacred yet laborious task to its hoped-for conclusion, the Congregation produced the book Daleel At-Tanshi’a (The Formation Guide), to be in the hands of the missionaries as the best of guides and an incentive: enlightening, reminding and encouraging the missionary in his daily efforts and strive, “so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17), “ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
As soon as His Beatitude the Patriarch ratified the decree authorizing the launching of the Congregation on March 25, 1866, the first fathers turned, without prelude or delay, to the spiritual services they enlisted themselves for, and started roaming through the villages and cities, near and far. They were preaching, listening to confessions, providing catechesis to children, solving people’s problems and disputes, conducting spiritual retreats in schools, parishes and monasteries for all the different groups of the faithful and the fraternities of monks and nuns, parish priests and bishops. Their favors were made manifest, and the kreim and the mission became two names for one calling.
Since the specific aim of the Congregation is to serve Maronites, and its mission extends in every direction where there are Maronites (Canon 9), in no time, the missionaries had followed the sons and daughters of their Church to Syria, Palestine and Egypt and to the rest of the countries of expansion, thus realizing the wish of their founder: “The wish most dear to my heart is to see you before my death, spread in the East and throughout the whole world, just like Jesus’ disciples, announcing the Good News with generosity and disposition, not minding any need or toil, or danger or resistance, all for the love of the One who loved us and sacrificed Himself for our sake” (from the writings of the founder).
The Institutions of the Congregation in Lebanon
Throughout history, the Superior General headquarters moved between Al-Kreim Monastery – Ghosta, and the St. John the Beloved Monastery – Jounieh, and the College des Apôtres, in the College itself, or in a private wing inside the College campus.
The headquarters will return this year to settle at the Saint John the Beloved Monastery – Jounieh, once renovation work is completed after the destruction inflicted on the Monastery and its surroundings caused by the bombing of the Saout Al-Mahabba (Voice of Charity) the Radio Station on the night of May 6-7, 2005.
It is the Mother House. It is the cradle of the Congregation. It was founded in it, and from it, it was launched, and to it, it was linked. Presently, it is the monastery for the novitiate. Its erection dates back prior to 1716, and was constructed over the remains of a fortress or an old temple. Sheikh Abi Nader Daher Al-Khazen endowed it to the Armenian Antonine Congregation. The Armenian monks and their first Patriarch and bishops, who were flooding in from Aleppo at the start of their return into the arms of the Catholic Church, resided in it. When they left it and moved to Bzommar and to the Mar Antonios Khishbaouh Monastery – Ghazir, the founder bought it and the surrounding real estate on February 18, 1865. He refurbished it and endowed it to the Congregation, which was born and raised there.
Congregation constantly strove at expanding it and still does. Its church contains a very valuable piece of art, an icon dating back prior to the thirteenth century and is called the ‘Suffering Trinity’. It depicts the eternal Father embracing the crucified Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the bodily form of a dove settling over the gibbet of the cross.
Congregation constantly strove at expanding it and still does. Its church contains a very valuable piece of art, an icon dating back prior to the thirteenth century and is called the ‘Suffering Trinity’. It depicts the eternal Father embracing the crucified Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the bodily form of a dove settling over the gibbet of the cross.
When Al-Kreim Monastery – Ghosta became too crammed for its residents, and to facilitate transportation, and in announcing the expansion of the apostolic endeavor, the Congregation decided in 1901, to erect the St. John the Beloved Monastery in Jounieh. Immediately, the missionaries set out to perform their spiritual, social and educational role. Aside from their ecclesiastical services, from Masses, hearing confessions, preaching and seasonal spiritual retreats, they established in it fraternities, opened free schools for the poor children of Jounieh, founded the Catholic Youth Club, equipping it with an invaluable library to fight illiteracy and combat novelties and factions. They were vigilant to attend to the social concern by establishing the Refuge of the Poor Association following the model of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In 1924, the printing press was established in the vicinity of the Monastery, the first fruit of which was the publishing of the book containing the statutes of the Congregation.
After accommodating the Maronite Patriarchal Tribunal, the whole Monastery was transformed so as to house the Saout Al-Mahabba (Voix de Charite) Radio Station, while keeping the church open for the sake of the faithful.
After accommodating the Maronite Patriarchal Tribunal, the whole Monastery was transformed so as to house the Saout Al-Mahabba (Voix de Charite) Radio Station, while keeping the church open for the sake of the faithful.
After relinquishing the ’Ain Waraka Patriarchal School in Ghosta, in June of 1939, which had been handed over in September 1935, in accordance with an agreement with its president, the curate Youhanna Estephan, the Congregation decided to open its own college in Jounieh and it was given the name Ma’had Ar-Russul (Collège des Apôtres) designed by the Russian Architect Igor Betlanko. While the new building was being constructed, the Khalil Maroun Building in the New Harbor quarter was leased to be a temporary school. Despite the eruption of World War II, in early September, 1939, work continued and the distinctively designed first wing of the College was completed and opened to students in October of 1940.
From then on, the College continued to grow with the years and expand through the building of new wings equipped with the most modern up to date apparatus, to become one of the biggest of colleges.
From then on, the College continued to grow with the years and expand through the building of new wings equipped with the most modern up to date apparatus, to become one of the biggest of colleges.
After obtaining permission and the blessing of His Beatitude the Patriarch, the Congregation bought, in 1964, a spacious piece of land in the village of Jouaar An-Nakhl – close to the city of Tyre – paid for from the funds and endowment of the ‘Maronite Orphanage established by the Late Ibrahim Nasrallah Al-Khoury’ placed under the guardianship of the Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries. In fulfilling the wishes of the endower, the uncle of Bishops Shukrallah and Abdallah Al-Khoury, the Congregation proceeded to establish a benevolent educational project it designated as the Cadmos School. This school opened its doors to both day and boarding elementary students in October, 1966. It rapidly grew and developed and expanded through the building of wing after wing to become a high school, one of the leading schools in the South of Lebanon; a springhead of good citizenry and a symbol of brotherly coexistence and cooperation between religions, in an environment whose residents are mostly from the sons and daughters of the respectable Shiite Moslem confession.
With the approval and the blessing of His Beatitude the Patriarch, and in accordance with a 99-year agreement, the Congregation was handed over control by His Excellency Bishop John Chedid, Bishop of the Maronites of Los Angeles, the United States, in his capacity as legal custodian of the endowment of Mar Mama – Edde, Al-Batroun, of some real estate deeds of that endowment. It was for the purpose of erecting a religious, apostolic and social center. After completing the necessary formalities and technical studies, the Congregation proceeded to reclaim some of the land areas for agriculture and to build a residential complex consisting of three wings: the first was completed in the autumn of 2001, and was occupied by the missionaries who devoted themselves to the apostolic endeavor in the region, and to helping parish priests, and the monasteries and the schools operated by nuns. In the autumn of 2003, the second wing was completed and was leased to one of the educational institutions. The third wing, still under construction, is reserved for apostolic activities.
Because of lack of space in the Superior General Headquarters in Jounieh and for the purpose of providing better means for the formation of our brothers, the candidates to the priesthood, it was decided in the summer of 1993, to move the Major Seminary to Harissa, close to the Shrine of our Lady of Lebanon in a special structure to be erected for that purpose.
After completing construction, the new monastery was inaugurated and blessed on September 27, 1996, by His Beatitude Mar Nasrallah Peter Sfeir, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. Our seminarians and those in charge of their formation moved in at the beginning of the academic year 1996-1997. In the summer of 2003, the General Library of the Congregation with all its branches and contents was annexed to the Major Seminary. They were transported from the Superior General Headquarters Monastery at the Collège des Apôtres in Jounieh, all except for the manuscripts and the archives.
After completing construction, the new monastery was inaugurated and blessed on September 27, 1996, by His Beatitude Mar Nasrallah Peter Sfeir, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. Our seminarians and those in charge of their formation moved in at the beginning of the academic year 1996-1997. In the summer of 2003, the General Library of the Congregation with all its branches and contents was annexed to the Major Seminary. They were transported from the Superior General Headquarters Monastery at the Collège des Apôtres in Jounieh, all except for the manuscripts and the archives.
It is a threesome integrated institution specialized in the printing, publications and sale of literary and educational books and magazines, especially the religious and liturgical.
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Al-Kreim Printing Press, founded in 1928. It developed with time, and is now being re-equipped with modern machinery and technology commensurate with the needs of the epoch and the raising of production standards.
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Publications des Apôtres, founded in 1958, to undertake the publishing of scholastic books and the various types of educational publications.
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Librairie Al-Kreim, started at first in Beirut, then part of the press complex was cleared to house it. It provides for its customers the various kinds of religious books and ecclesiastical vessels and such.
As a contribution to the mission of the pen, the Congregation embarked, ever since 1930, on issuing Al-Manara (The Lampstand), an educational, religious, all-encompassing magazine. It ceased operations from 1950 until 1981, when it resumed issuing and still does, three times a year, one edition of which is a special issue tackling one specific subject and edited by a select group of specialized persons, religious and lay.
The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries started a radio station, the Voice of Charity, on the Feast of Pentecost in 1984. It is run by the priests of the Congregation in coordination with the Episcopal Committee for the Media. It operates under the supervision of the Conference of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon. The station entered into a twinning relationship with Radio Maria – Italy. It is also in cooperation with the Communauté Francophone de Radios Chrétiennes (COFRAC), and broadcasts a daily program via Vatican Radio.
Its programs are instructional, spiritual, contemplative, recreational and educational. It broadcasts in eight languages aimed at all ages, all sectors of society and all people of good will. Program producers are bishops, priests, nuns, and lay people from all the various churches in Lebanon. It broadcasts its programs continuously, 24 hours a day, through the two FM frequencies of 105.8 and 106.2, covering all parts of Lebanon and the neighboring countries of the East. It is on the internet at the web address: www.radiocharity.org. Some years ago, it opened a special branch in Australia.
It was the target of an explosion on May 6, 2005, which led to its complete destruction and the loss of all its equipment and contents. Despite that, transmission did not cease, except for a few hours, and broadcasting resumed via a mobile unit, until the completion of its present headquarters, next to the St. John the Beloved Monastery.
As part of its apostolic aims, the Congregation undertook in 1992, a project to equip the upper floors of the St. John Center building, which is next to the Collège des Apôtres, in downtown Jounieh, as a residential center for students in two segregated sections, thus facilitating the study endeavor and continuing the human and Christian formation march in a healthy familial environment, with affinity and brotherly cooperation prevailing.
Overseeing the administration of the Foyer and providing all required necessities, especially spiritual direction, is one of the specialized missionary Fathers.
This center was formed in 1992, to fill a need and also in response to requests by many of the faithful who are eager to delve deeper into their Christian Faith, quenching their spiritual thirst. Its goal is to provide the appropriate religious and educational formation to adults of all ages and educational backgrounds, in addition to preparing catechists and activists specialized in the various fields of evangelization, youth associations and lay apostolic work movements.
Its courses are free. They are given in the lecture halls of the Collège des Apôtres – Jounieh every Friday evening at the hands of specialized missionaries in accordance with the directives of the Superior General, in conformity with the program set by the Episcopal Committee for Catechesis.
Its diplomas are ecclesiastical, official and sealed with the signature of the local ecclesiastical superior.
Congregation Centers outside Lebanon
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, missionaries have followed their Maronite brethren, the sons and daughters of their homeland Lebanon all the way to the countries of expansions, and established missions in city after city, in the service of the Gospel, the Church and society. Soon enough, mission houses became tantamount to a second home for every Lebanese and an embassy before there was one. In these centers, all would congregate, without division and discrimination, to become acquainted with each other and to collaborate, and to further clutch on to their religious beliefs, their social traditions and their national heritage.
When the number of missionary fathers did not exceed ten, the Superior General Father Youssef Moubarak heeded the request of His Beatitude the Patriarch and the Pontifical See. On May 8, 1901, the feast day of St. John the Beloved, the patron saint of the Congregation, it declared the appointment of Fathers Hanna Ghosn and Mikhael Hajjar to proceed to Argentina and establish a mission carrying the name of St. Maron, to serve the Maronites and the Lebanese immigrants. The two Fathers left on the Monday of Pentecost, May 27, to reach Buenos Aires on July 5, 1901, and launched the mission the very next day, Sunday July 6, with a very well attended Mass.
Despite all the hardships they encountered, the mission took off and grew, thanks to the support of many of the benevolent, Lebanese from all groups, and Argentineans. Afterwards, the number of missionaries began to increase. After nine decades, thirty missionaries were counted, priests and brothers, and they trickled in, in succession, to work laboriously and worthily in all religious, educational, cultural and national fields. They traveled throughout the vast Argentinean landscape, and in every city with a Maronite community, they established religious fraternities and social clubs. In the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires, aside from the monastery, they built a small church which grew and is now a cathedral. It was consecrated and inaugurated by the Patriarch Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Peter Sfeir in 2001, on the occasion of the one hundredth Jubilee of the mission.
In 1904 an elementary school was formed. It became a secondary school in 1920. It is still teaching today, in addition to the official curriculum, Arabic and French for those desiring to learn them, and also the commercial sciences and accounting.
In 1913, the printing press and the newspaper Al-Murssal (The Missionary) were established. On April 28, 1959, an Apostolic Decree was issued mandating the erection of a diocese specific to the Eastern Churches headed personally by the head Bishop of the Catholic Church in Buenos Aires and the mission head was appointed Vicar General of the Maronites. On December 2, 1990, the head of the mission, Father Sharbel Merhi, was ordained in Bkerke as Bishop of the St. Sharbel Maronite Eparchy in Argentina.
In a first stage (1916-1952), at the request of the people and the permission of the ecclesiastical authorities, three missionaries worked in the United States: Father Francis Sham’oun (1874-1920), pastor of the St. Louis Parish in Missouri, 1916, where he died and was buried there in 1920; Father Boulos Al-Khoury (1900-1951), who served the Akron Parish in Ohio, where he died on February 28, 1951, and was buried there; and, Father Youssef Kmeid (1876-1952), who traveled for seven years (1920-1927) serving Lebanese communities throughout the States, settling to serve St. Maron Parish in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, until his death on June 29, 1952.
After a long break, and condescending at the insistence of the Shepherd of the new Maronite Eparchy, the missionaries returned in September of 1988, to study and to perform the apostolic service in numerous fields. They served existing parishes, developing them, and they established new ones and erected a permanent center for the Congregation in Houston, Texas. His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Peter Sfeir visited the center on May 19-20, 2008.
The history of establishing the Johannesburg Mission goes back to 1927, with the appointment of Father Youssef Juan as a Patriarchal Visitor, and thereafter, the appointment of Father Boutros Al-’Alam as the proper pastor of the Maronite community through a Patriarchal Decree on September 21, 1928. He served very well until his death on June 13, 1962. He was succeeded by Father Mikhael Chebli and carried out the mission with zeal and purity in conduct throughout thirty years, until the Congregation was able to send a number of young priests who worked strenuously and diligently on developing the mission and erecting a new center on the east side, and another in the southern sector of the city. On February 10, 1992, Patriarch Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Peter Sfeir consecrated the Church of Our Lady of the Cedars. It was the first visit by a Maronite patriarch to this distant land. His Beatitude again graced with a second visit on May 7, 2008, to dedicate the Church and Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in the southern part of the city.
In the middle of June, 1931, Fathers Elias Maria Al-Ghorayeb (1881-1960), and Gibrayel Zaidan (1882-1963), came in from Argentina to Rio de Janeiro, the capital of Brazil at that time, for the purpose of establishing a mission there. On February 16, 1932, they were joined by Father Youssef Al-Hani (1894-1975), who would become Father Al-Ghorayeb’s traveling companion throughout more than thirty years. For, Father Gibrayel Zaidan was to leave them in the middle of August, 1937, having been appointed roaming missionary among the communities in all the republics of South America, with the Argentine mission in Buenos Aires as his base.
The missionaries worked laboriously and competently to launch the mission in Rio de Janeiro. Aside from the religious and social services, they built a school which closed after eleven years. They erected a monumental church and a mission house under the name of Our Lady of Lebanon. They were not able to establish Maronite parishes outside Rio de Janeiro due to a shortage in priests, but, they compensated for that with their seasonal pastoral visits to all regions, even the very remote ones, endeavoring to rally together the communities, establishing fraternities and clubs.
Father Al-Ghorayeb assumed quite a very illustrious stature in all circles and was appointed by Cardinal Camra, Head Bishop of Rio, as his Vicar General to deal with all the affairs of the Eastern Catholics, from Maronites to Syriacs to Chaldeans to Armenians. To perpetuate the memory of his glorious deeds and contributions, the municipality named a street after him. The mission is still prospering and those in authority are seeking to erect new centers as needs demand and capabilities allow.
The missionaries worked laboriously and competently to launch the mission in Rio de Janeiro. Aside from the religious and social services, they built a school which closed after eleven years. They erected a monumental church and a mission house under the name of Our Lady of Lebanon. They were not able to establish Maronite parishes outside Rio de Janeiro due to a shortage in priests, but, they compensated for that with their seasonal pastoral visits to all regions, even the very remote ones, endeavoring to rally together the communities, establishing fraternities and clubs.
Father Al-Ghorayeb assumed quite a very illustrious stature in all circles and was appointed by Cardinal Camra, Head Bishop of Rio, as his Vicar General to deal with all the affairs of the Eastern Catholics, from Maronites to Syriacs to Chaldeans to Armenians. To perpetuate the memory of his glorious deeds and contributions, the municipality named a street after him. The mission is still prospering and those in authority are seeking to erect new centers as needs demand and capabilities allow.
At the request of the Shepherd of the Maronite Eparchy in Australia, Archbishop Youssef Hitti, the Congregation dispatched to Sydney in 1993, one of its sons, Father Sarkis Charbel (1957-2000), to aid in the pastoral service and to undertake mission endeavors. With increased needs, it became necessary to dispatch more missionaries, and they served many of the parishes and administered youth organizations and apostolic movements. They also established a branch of the Voice of Charity, broadcasting programs in Arabic and English. They strove to build a permanent center for the mission, which was inaugurated in 2004, under the name of St. John the Beloved, the patron saint of the Congregation.
Responding to pressing needs, and at the request of the Shepherd of the Eparchy, Archbishop Boulos Sayah, the Congregation agreed in 2005, to dispatch priests to serve the Lebanese in general and the Maronites in particular, especially those who left their southern border villages. They resided in the city of Nazareth at first, and from there, they began to roam through all the regions where the displaced are grouped. They are now based in Akko, carrying on with their apostolic endeavors.
Emanating from its gifts and in realization of its goals, the Congregation is presently striving to establish many new missions in response to zealous calls and in accordance with the capabilities at hand:
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In the City of Santo Domingo – The Dominican Republic;
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In the City of Bogotá – Columbia;
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In the City of Malmo – Sweden;
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In the City of Vienna – Austria;
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In the City of Guadalajara – Mexico; and,
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In the City of Mendoza – Argentina.
It is also in the process of establishing other new centers in Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and the United States of America.
History & Information
Introduction
From Our Lady of Lebanon Sanctuary, you feel the sky embraces the Earth and places it into Mary’s heart. There, Mary radiates a glow around gloomy hearts and transforms a tiny spot like Harissa, into a haven for penitents, a consolation for sad people, a path for wanderers, and a guide and an oasis where tired souls can rest.
Meaning of “Harissa”
The word Harissa comes from the word Haras which means, in Arabic and Hebrew, a sharp blade, a knife, any cutting tool, or also, a sheer edge. And this corresponds to the nature of the hill on which stands the village, named by its inhabitants “Roueiss”. Therefore, some historians believe that the old Semitic word harissa means roueiss in Arabic, a steep-sided high hill.
Overlooking the bay of Jounieh, the Sanctuary is built on a 350 hectares piece of land, 650m high from sea level, and 26kms to the north of Beirut, in the Mohafazat of Mount Lebanon. As it neighbors the village of Daroun, it is part of the Kesrwan caza. It is also close to Bkerke, see of the Maronite Patriarchate. It is famous for its greenness, the multitude of its trees, the abundance and purity of its sources. It is the door to Paradise…
How it all started
On the fiftieth commemoration of the “Immaculate Conception” dogma declared by His Holiness Pope Pius IX in 1854, His Beatitude Maronite Patriarch Elias Hoayek and the Apostolic Nuncio Carlos Duval decided to erect a religious monument that would be a keepsake of this event.
According to Father Henri Jalabert sj, Lucien Cattin, Father Superior of the Jesuits in the Middle East at the time, suggested to raise a big statue of the Virgin that could be seen from far and that would illustrate the Honoring of and the attachment of the Lebanese people to Mary.
After the Patriarch and the Nuncio had sought advice from bishops, priests, monks and laics, the sanctuary was named “Our Lady of Lebanon”, and the project was launched.
Construction
After consulting with engineers who were authorities in the field, a place at the top of the Harissa hill called “the rock” was chosen to build the sanctuary, and the implementation phase got close. Committees began to raise funds in order to execute the project. The generosity of the Lebanese people conveyed their love for Mary.
After negotiations, Mr. Francis Yaacoub sold the land to the Patriarchate for the symbolic sum of fifty Ottoman Pounds.
The laying of the foundation-stone took place in October 1904, but work was interrupted for several reasons; one of them was the fear the land could not carry a monument of that size.
In 1907, Patriarch Hoayek and Msgr. Fridiano Giannini, the new Apostolic Nuncio, resumed the work and made some adjustments to the project such as enlarging the west side of the sanctuary.
To make sure the construction was carried out appropriately, a deed was signed in 1906 with a contracting company, as the first party and, as the second party, skilled master-artisan Ibrahim Makhlouf (from Ain el Rihaneh). The statue was built in 1907.
It is good to keep in mind that Father Chucrallah Khoury, Superior of the Lebanese Maronite Missionaries was from the beginning, the Patriarch’s right hand man in the management and the execution of the project. He was elected Father Superior of the Congregation, after the election of Father Youssef Moubarak as Bishop of the Saida Diocese.
With the help of the Apostolic Enunciator, and particularly Father Pere, Secretary of the Enunciator, and Cattin, Father Superior of the Jesuits, the Patriarch was able to overcome the financial problem – resulting from the volume and the cost of the project - by sending a letter to the Maronite “Wakfs” and charity organizations, asking them to pay a preset sum of money, to be collected by Father Chucrallah Khoury.
Building the Sanctuary and the statue cost approximately 50000 gold French francs, donated by believers; among them was a French lady who wished to remain anonymous and made a contribution of 16000 francs. The land was offered by the Maronite Patriarch and the Nuncio.
According to his last wishes, Bishop Duval’s body was transferred from Beirut to Our Lady of Lebanon Sanctuary. On the west wall of the shrine, is placed a commemorative marble plaque on which is engraved in the Latin language the history of the event, in appreciation of Duval’s love to the Virgin and his passion for her sanctuary in Lebanon.
Launching
To erect such a monument, a faraman (sultan’s decree) stating the approval of Ottoman authorities, ruling then, had to be issued. Mount Lebanon “Moutassaref”, Mouzher Bacha, sent a telegram asking for Istanbul consent and, almost miraculously, received a positive answer only a few hours later.
At the beginning of 1908, the shrine and the statue’s pedestal were executed under the supervision of Father Chucrallah Khoury, officially assigned by the Patriarch to take the lead on the project. Shortly after, Our Mother Mary’s statue was built, and inauguration took place on May 3rd, the first Sunday of that month.
At 10.00 am, Msgr. Giannini started the inaugural ceremony with prayers and then blessed the sanctuary and the statue, thanking God for an achievement that would nurture and develop real faith. The devoted assembly was informed of His holiness Pope Pius X’s message for the showering of heavenly blessings on all those who had had contributed to the execution of the project, or those who were attending the launching ceremony.
Amid the guests, were Lebanese Brigadier Barbar Beik El Khazen, representing Mount Lebanon “Moutassaref” Youssef Franco Bacha, and His Excellency Habib Beik Bitar, “Ca’im-macam” of the Caza of Kesrwan, as well as large crowds of believers and visitors.
The ceremony was followed by the holly mass, celebrated by Patriarch Hoayek, bishops, general superiors, representatives of congregations from oriental and western churches and many priests.
During his sermon, the Patriarch highlighted the Lebanese people love and devotion to Mary, and asked for her protection and her unfailing intercession. At the end of the mass, he led a solemn procession around the sanctuary, carrying the icon of the Holy Virgin. He declared first Sunday of May as the feast of Our Lady of Lebanon.
The Management of the Sanctuary
Following the inaugural celebrations, as mentioned in Article 4 of the deed registered in Bkerke on January 18th, 1907, Maronite Patriarch and Apostolic Nuncio officially entrusted the management of Our Lady of Lebanon Sanctuary to the Lebanese Maronite Missionaries, through their general Superior, Father Youssef Moubarak, at the Enunciator’s location in Harissa.
It wasn’t too late in time when more lots of land were purchased in order to improve the facilities dedicated to serve the believers and visitors, and gradually, the shrine became what it is today, an international place for worship.
Shrine Description
An 8 by 8m chapel with a seating capacity of 100 people was built under the statue of Mary, the Mother of God. It was designed by famous French architect, Gio.
The wooden statue of Mary Mother of Light (that toured almost all Lebanese cities and villages in 1954) stands next to the square stone altar. On the middle of the tabernacle are engraved a cedar and bunches of grapes. Stained glass windows are decorated with the consecrated wafer’s symbols, grapes and wheat ears.
The seven-piece-bronze statue of Our Lady of Lebanon is 8,5m high, with a 5m diameter; it weighs 15 tons and is painted in white, for more splendor and magnificence. It was manufactured in Lyon (France), under the supervision of Mr. Durenne who escorted it to Beirut port at the end of July 1906.
The 20m high pedestal of the statue has the shape of a trunk sculpted in a natural stone. The lower diameter measures 64m and the top part, 20m. A 104 steps staircase was built to reach the top of the statue. (A drawing of the statue and its pedestal by famous painter Daoud Corm is kept in the basilica.)
Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica
In 1956, a plastic and wooden tent was built on the west side of the shrine’s entrance in order to welcome the increasing number of believers and visitors for masses, especially throughout the month of May.
As a result, on the golden jubilee of the shrine, it was decided to build a bigger church, to accommodate the large crowds of believers.
On the 31 of May 1970, the foundation stone of the basilica – to be- was laid by His Beatitude Maronite Patriarch Paul-Pierre Meouchy, in presence of Lebanese President then, Charles Helou, and his Prime Minister Rachid Karame, ministers and deputies, Orthodox and Catholic Bishops and numerous believers.
From the start, Patriarch Meouchy handed over the management and the execution of the basilica to the Lebanese Maronite Missionaries through their Superior, Father Sassine Zeidan. He was assisted by an executive committee formed towards the end of 1968, following a meeting between Patriarch Meouchy and Father Sassine Zeidan.
This committee was comprised Father Sassine Zeidan (president), Lebanese Missionary, Father Youssef Andary, architect Adib Sader (secretary), pharmacist Cesar Chalhoub, engineer Emile Kayssar (Director General of the Ministry of Public Works), Joseph Salhab (Director General of the Ministry of Tourism), architect François Chemaly (President of the Municipality of Daroun-Harissa), and Fouad Boulos (President of Harissa teleferic’s council).
This committee worked to insure information, financial, architectural and logistical aspects of the project in order to start building. Architects were asked for detailed drawings and plans.
Choice of the Design
To choose the best design, Patriarch Meouchy and Nuncio Alfredo Bruniera constituted an arbitration committee composed of the Nuncio himself, Father Sassine Zeidan, representing Patriarch Meouchy, and five eminent architects: Georges Maroun, President the Order of Engineers and Architects, Henri Eddé, former President the Order of Engineers and Architects, Mitri Nammar, Director of the urban planning Department, and two other French architects.
After eliminating two of the four projects, and hesitating between choosing either José Husseini’s or Pierre Khoury’s proposals, the committee voted for the last one by four votes against three.
Construction Work
The construction work went on uninterruptedly, even in the hardest times. Once the leveling of the land was first achieved, the foundations were completed by June 1971, the walls and the esplanade were built, and the rest of the work continued.
Engineer Louis Cordahi executed some of the work, but the bigger part was accomplished by engineer Mouin Aoun and his team who – armed with faith and perseverance, and entrusted by Father Paul Najm, General Superior of the Missionaries - were able to built a high ceiling in the shape of a Phoenician boat with 64m long curved beams. To execute that part, engineers had to consult two French companies: one, to supervise the assembly of the scaffold and the other one, to assist in the design and the assembly of the immense glass front façade.
Algeria
Notre Dame d'Afrique, Algiers
Andorra
Our Lady of Meritxell
Argentina
Our Lady of Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires Province
Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolás, San Nicolás de los Arroyos
Our Lady of Itatí, Itatí, Corrientes
Australia
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney
Shrine of Our Lady of Yankalilla, South Australia
Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, Penrose Park, New South Wales
Shrine of Our Lady Help of Christians, Canungra, Queensland
Austria
Basilika Maria Plain, Bergheim, Salzburg
Maria Schmolln, Braunau am Inn District, Upper Austria
Maria Taferl, Melk District, Lower Austria
Mariatrost Basilica, Graz, Styria
Mariazell Basilica, Mariazell, Styria
Marienbasilika Absam, Absam, Tirol
Belgium
Our Lady of Banneux in Banneux, Liège
Our Lady of Beauraing in Beauraing, Namur
Holy Virgin in Halle, Flemish Brabant
Our Lady of Lourdes in Oostakker, East Flanders
Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel, Flemish Brabant
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek, Tongeren, Limburg
Our Lady of Tongre, in Tongre-Notre-Dame, Hainaut
Bolivia
Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, Copacabana
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Our Lady of Međugorje in Međugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Our Lady of Olovo in Olovo
Brazil
Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, Aparecida
Canada
Our Lady of Combermere in Ontario
Queen of The Holy Rosary Shrine in Ajax, Ontario
Our Lady of Czestochova Church in London, Ontario
Notre Dame du Cap in Cap de la Madeleine, Quebec
Chile
Our Lady of Andacollo, Andacollo
China
Our Lady of China in Donglu
The Virgin of Sheshan, Help of Christians in Sheshan
Our Lady of Bliss near Guiyang, China
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Longtian
The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Qingyang
Colombia
Our Lady of Las Lajas, Nariño Department
Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, Boyacá Department
Costa Rica
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, Cartago
Croatia
Our Lady of Marija Bistrica in Marija Bistrica
Our Lady of Trsat in Rijeka
Our Lady of Sinj in Sinj
Our Lady of Voćin in Voćin
Our Lady of Aljmaš in Aljmaš
Our Lady of Gorica in Baška, island of Krk
Our Lady of Remete in Remete
Our Lady of Kloštar in Slavonski Kobaš
Cuba
Our Lady of Charity, El Cobre, near Santiago de Cuba
Cyprus
Kykkos Monastery
Czech Republic
Pilgrimage Basilica of the Visitation of Our Lady, Hejnice
Dominican Republic
Our Lady of Altagracia (Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia),[2] in Higuey, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic.
Ecuador
National Shrine of Our Lady of El Cisne (Nuestra Señora de el Cisne)
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Presentation of El Quinche, El Quinche, Pichincha Province
Egypt
Our Lady of Assiut
Our Lady of Warraq
Our Lady of Zeiton, apparitions of Virgin Mary on the Coptic Orthodox Church.
France
Ablain Saint Nazaire: Notre Dame de Lorette
Agde: Notre Dame de l'Agenouillade
Albi: Notre Dame de la Drèche
Amiens: Notre Dame Cathedral
Angoulème: Notre Dame D'Obézine
Annecy: Basilica of the Visitation
Antras: Notre Dame des neiges
Arras: Notre Dame des Ardents
Avioth: Notre Dame d'Avioth
Azay: Notre Dame de l'Agenouillée
Bégrolles-en-Mauges: Abbey of Bellefontaine
Bélestat: Notre Dame du Val d'amour
Blois: Notre Dame de la Trinité
Boquen: Monastère Notre Dame de la croix vivifiante
Boulogne-sur-Mer: Notre Dame de Boulogne
Cambrai: Notre Dame de Cambrai
Chartres: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres
Châtillon St Jean (26): Notre Dame monastery
Clermont Ferrand: Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral
Clermont Ferrand: Notre Dame du Port
Cotignac
Dému: Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Bernet en Dému
Douvres la Délivrande: Notre Dame de la Délivrande
Err: Notre Dame d'Err
Ferrières: Notre Dame de Bethléem
Fontgombault: Abbaye Notre Dame
Friesenheim: Notre Dame de Neunkirch
Fronville: Notre Dame de la Bonne nouvelle
Grignan: Abbaye Notre Dame d'Aiguebelle
Honfleur: Notre Dame de grâce
Ile Bouchard: Notre Dame de la prière
Issoudun: Notre Dame du Sacré Coeur
La Blachere: Notre Dame du Bon secours
La Meilleraye-de-Bretagne: Abbaye Notre-Dame de Melleray
Landevenec: Notre Dame de Folgoat
Lanrivain: Notre Dame du Guiaudet
La Salette: Notre Dame de La Salette
La Trinité: Notre Dame de Laghet
Le Folgoet: Notre Dame du Folgoet
Le Faou: Notre Dame de Rumengol
Laus: Notre Dame du Laus
Le Puy en Velay
Lescure: Notre Dame de la Visitation
Liesse: Notre Dame cause de notre Joie
Lille: Notre Dame de la Treille
Lourdes: Notre Dame de Lourdes
Lyon: Notre Dame de Fourvière
Modane: Notre Dame de Charmaix
Monaco: Notre Dame Immaculée
Lure: Notre Dame de Lure attire un chantier de jeunes
Maisnière: Notre Dame du Chêne
Marciac: Notre Dame de la Croix
Marsan: Notre Dame de la Paix
Marsanne: Notre Dame du Fresneau
Mauriac: Notre Dame des Miracles
Monetiers les bains: Notre Dame du Mont Thabor
Montaigut: Notre Dame d'Alep
Montautour: Notre Dame du Roc
Montfort sur Meu: St Louis-Marie de Montfort
Montligeon: Notre Dame de Montligeon
Myans: Notre Dame de Myans
Neuilly: Notre Dame de Bonne Délivrance
Noirétable: Notre Dame de l'Hermitage
Villefranche-de-Rouergue: Notre Dame des Treize-Pierres
Ollioules: Notre Dame de Bonheur
Orcival: Notre Dame d'Orcival
Orléans: Notre Dame des Miracles
Paris: La médaille miraculeuse, Rue du Bac
Paris: Notre Dame de Paris
Paris: Notre Dame des Victoires
Pellevoisin: « Marie, mère de miséricorde »
Penne d'Agenay: Notre Dame de Peyragude
Perros-Guirec: Notre Dame de la Clarté
Pfaffenheim: Notre Dame du Schauenberg
Phalsbourg: Notre Dame de Bonnefontaine
Plancherine: Abbaye Notre Dame de Tamié
Plancoet: Notre Dame de Nazareth
Pontmain: Notre Dame de Pontmain
Pugny: Monastère Notre Dame de l'Unité
Quezac: Notre Dame de Quezac
Reims: la cathédrale de Reims
Le Testament de saint Rémi
Reiningue: Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Oelenberg
Ribeauville: Notre Dame de Dusenbach
Rocamadour: la Vierge de Majesté
Rodez (La Primaude): Notre Dame de Ceignac
Ronchamp: Notre Dame du haut
Rostrenen: Notre Dame du roncier
Saint Auvent: Notre Dame de la Paix
Saint Florent le Vieil: Notre Dame du Marillais
Saint Laurent du Pont: Monastère Notre Dame du Buisson Ardent
Saint-Laurent-les-Bains: Abbaye Notre-Dame des Neiges
Saint Laurent sur Sèvre: Basilique Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
Saint Martin de Belleville: Notre Dame de la Vie
Saint Omer: Notre-Dame des Miracles
Auray: Saint Anne d'Auray
Saint Romain d'Ay: Notre Dame d'Ay
Sari-Solenzara: Monastère de l'Assunta Gloriosa
Saumur: Notre Dame des Ardilliers
Saxon-Sion: Notre Dame de Sion
Soligny: Abbaye de la Trappe
Strasbourg: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg
Thiezac: Notre Dame de consolation
Thorame: Notre Dame de la fleur
Valenciennes: Notre Dame du Saint Cordon
Besses en Chandesse: Notre Dame de Vassivière
Venasque: Notre Dame de Vie
Verdelais: Notre Dame de Verdelais
Verdun: Cathédrale de Verdun
Violot: Notre Dame des Bois (Haute Marne)
Vion: Notre Dame du chêne
Vitreux: Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Acey
Wissembourg: Notre Dame de Weiler
Germany
Shrine of St. Mary, in Aachen Cathedral. This church, frequently referred to as the Kaiserdom ("Imperial Cathedral"), is a Roman Catholic church in Aachen.
Chapel of Grace, in Altötting, Bavaria. The first miracles attributed to praying to the Virgin Mother at this shrine were reported to have taken place in 1489.
Chapel of Grace in Kevelaer, North Rhine-Westphalia, site of an "Image of Grace" (Gnadenbild) of St.Mary since the Thirty Years' War.
Gibraltar
Our Lady of Europe at Europa Point, the southernmost point in Western Europe. A shrine to Mary has existed on the site since 1462.
Greece
Our Lady of Tinos, Tinos Island, Greece's patron saint.
Panagia Tripiti, Town of Aigio, Peloponnese
Autonomous Monastic State of the Holy Mountain, Mount Athos, Greece, the garden of the Mother of God being[clarification needed] out of bounds to all other women.
Holy Land
The Basilica of the Annunciation, in Nazareth.
The Church of the Dormition of Our Lady on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem.
The Church of the Tomb of the Virgin Mary in the garden of Gethsemane, in Jerusalem
The Milk Grotto Church of Virgin Mary in Bethlehem
India
Our Lady of Lourdes shrine Perambur ( Chennai - Tamil Nadu )
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Chinnathurai, Tamil Nadu
Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Vailankanni, Tamil Nadu
Poondi Matha Bascillica, Poondi, Tamil Nadu
Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Villianur, Puducherry
Our Lady of Lourdes, Pudur shrine, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
National Shrine of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam, Cochin, Kerala
Our Lady of Dolours Basilica, Thrissur, Kerala
Basilica of Our Lady of Snow (Manjumatha), Pallipport, Pallippuram, Ernakulam, Kerala
Korattymuthy Our Lady with Poovan Bananas, Shrine of Hail Mary, Koratty, Kerala
St. Mary's Forane Church, Chalakudy, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chalakudy, Kerala
Our Lady of Snows Basilica, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
Our Lady of Remedies, Vasai, Maharashtra
Our Lady of Bandel Church, Chinsurah, West Bengal
Our Lady of Sand, Sokkankudieruppu, Tamil Nadu
Our Lady of Snow Kallikulam (Our Lady of Snow Church, Kallikulam), Tamil Nadu
Our Lady of La Salette, Maravapatty pudur, Salethmatha in Tamil, Tamil Nadu
Shrine Of Our Lady Of Health, Hyderabad
Our Lady of Mount, Bandra-Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Our Lady of Mahim Church, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Seminary Hills, Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Gunadala Marymatha, 'St Mary's' Church, Vijayawada', Andhra Pradesh
Nirmalagiri Marymatha Shrine, Nirmalagiri(Gowripatnam), Andhra Pradesh
Goavari Marymatha shrine, Vegeswarapuram, Andhra Pradesh
Allipalli Mariamatha Shrine, Allipalii, Andhra Pradesh
HARIHAR MATHA SHRINE, HARIHAR, KARNATAKA, INDIA
St. Mary's Church Meenangadi
Ireland
The Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland in Knock, Ireland
Italy
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, home of the Salus Populi Romani icon
Holy Mary of Third Millennium at Three Fountains, Rome[5]
Sanctuary and Sacro Monte di Oropa, Biella, Piedmont
Santuario di Barbana, Grado, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Sanctuary of Macereto, Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini, Marche
Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome
Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria, Cagliari, Sardinia
Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei, Pompei, Campania
Shrine of the Holy House, Loreto, Marche
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montallegro, Rapallo, Liguria
Sanctuary of Madonna dei Miracoli, Motta di Livenza, Veneto
Shrine of Santa Maria del Fonte, Caravaggio, Lombardia
Japan
Our Lady of Akita, Akita, Japan
Korea
Gamgok Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Gamgok-myeon, Eumseong-gun im North Chungcheong Province
Lebanon
Our Lady of Bechouat, a Marian sanctuary in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon.
Our Lady of Bekaa, a Marian shrine located in Zahlé, Lebanon with panoramic views of the Beqaa Valley.
Our Lady of the Waterfall, a Marian shrine in Jezzine, Lebanon
Our Lady of Lebanon, a Marian shrine in Harissa, Lebanon
Our Lady of Light, a Marian chapel in Centre Ville, Beirut in Lebanon
Our Lady of Lourdes Monument, Ain Ebel, Lebanon
Our Lady of Mantara, a Marian shrine in Maghdouché, Lebanon
Our Lady of Miziara, Mother of Mercies, Zgharta, Lebanon
Our Lady of Nourieh, a Marian shrine and monastery atop Theoprosopon in Hamat, Lebanon.
Our Lady of the Wind, Enfeh, Lebanon
Lithuania
Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius, Lithuania
Pivasiunai, Lithuania
Siluva, Lithuania
Trakai, Lithuania
Žemaičių Kalvarija, Lithuania
Malta
Our Lady of Consecration, zone of Girgenti, Siġġiewi
Our Lady of Borg in-Nadur, Borġ in-Nadur, Qajjenza, Birżebbuġa
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Sanctuary, Valletta
Old Parish Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Birżebbuġa
Parish Church of the Annunciation, Tarxien
Parish Church of the Annunciation, Balzan
Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ħamrun
Parish Church of Maria Regina, Marsa
Parish Church of Monte Carmele, Fgura
Parish Church of Monte Carmele, Fleur-de-Lys, Birkirkara
Parish Church of Monte Carmele, Gżira
Parish Church of Monte Carmele, Balluta Bay, San Ġiljan
Parish Church of Our Lady of Fátima, Gwardamanġia, Pietà
Parish Church of Our Lady of Loreto, Għajnsielem
Parish Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Paola
Parish Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, San Ġwann
Parish Church of Our Lady of Porto Salvo, Valletta
Parish Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, San Pawl il-Baħar
Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Burmaradd
Parish Church of St Mary, Dingli
Parish Church of St Mary, Għaxaq
Parish Church of St Mary, Gudja
Parish Church of St Mary, Mġarr
Parish Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Sliema
Rotonda of St. Mary, Mosta
Parish Church of St Mary, Mqabba
Parish Church of St Mary, Qrendi
Parish Church of St Mary, Birkirkara
Parish Church of St Mary, Attard
Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ħamrun
Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ta' L-Ibrag
Parish Church of Our Lady of Pompey, Marsaxlokk
Church of Our Lady of Angels, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Naxxar
Church of Our Lady of Liesse, Valletta
Church of Our Lady of Mensija, Mensija, San Ġwann
Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Bir id-Deheb
Church of Our Lady of Montserrat, Birgu
Church of Our Lady of Good Council, Żejtun
Church of Our Lady of Victory, Birkirkara
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Msida, Malta
Chapel of the Immacualte Conception, Bengħisa, Birżebbuġa
Knisja ta' Santa Marija ta' Bubaqra, Żurrieq
Knisja ta' Santa Marija ta' Ħal-Muxi, Żebbu
Knisja tal-Madonna ta' Filfla, Filfla island near Żurrieq
Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Girgenti, Siġġiewi
Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Ġebla, Gżira
Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Ħerba, Birkirkara
Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Ħlas, Qormi
Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu, Mdina
Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Mirakli, Lija
Knisja tal-Madonna tas-Samra, Ħamrun
Knisja tal-Madonna tas-Silġ, Delimara[disambiguation needed]
Kappella tal-Madonna tal-Midalja Mirakuluża, Blata l-Bajda
Knisja ta' Santa Marija tal-Ħlas, Żejtun
Santwarju tal-Madonna tal-Ghar, Rabat
Santwarju tal-Madonna ta' Pinu, Għarb, Gozo
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa in Mellieħa
Knisja ta' Marija Bambina, Senglea
Knisja ta' Marija Bambina, Naxxar
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Cospicua
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces, Żabbar
Knisja ta Marija Bambina Imtahleb - Ir-Rabat
Knisja tal-Immkalulata Kuncizzjoni- Il-Kuncizzjoni L/O Rabat
Knisja tal-Immakulata Kuncizzjoni- Palazzo Gomerino L/O Rabat
Knisja ta; Santa Marija-Tal-Virtu', Ir-Rabat
Knisja ta; Santa Marija-( Ta Duna) Ir-Rabat
Knisja ta Marija Annunzjata (Il-Lunzjata) Ir-Rabat
Knisja tat- twelid ta; Marija (Tas-Salib) Ir-Rabat
KNisja tat-twelid tal-Madonna (Ta' Qasha') Ir-Rabat
Knisja ta Santa Marija ta Gesu (Ta'Giezu) Ir-Rabat
Malaysia
Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health (Annai Vailankanni) Kampung Pandan Kuala Lumpur
Mexico
The Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico
Basilica of San Juan de los Lagos in San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco, Mexico
Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, Zapopan, Jalisco
Montenegro
Our Lady of the Rocks, Perast
Netherlands
Our Lady Star of the Sea, Maastricht
Our Lady the Sweet Mother, 's-Hertogenbosch, St. John's Cathedral
Our Lady of Handel, Handel
The Lady of All Nations, Amsterdam
Our Lady Wealth of Joys, Oirschot
Basilica of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Sittard
Our Lady at Peril, Heiloo
Our Lady of the Enclosed Garden, Warfhuizen
Our Lady under the Limes, Uden
Our Lady of Ommel, Ommel
Our Lady under the Limes, Thorn
Our Lady of Frieswijk, Schalkhaar
Our Lady of Oud-Zevenaar, Oud Zevenaar
Our Lady of Bolsward, Bolsward
Our Lady of Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden
Our Lady ter Weeghe, Haastrecht
Our Lady of the sand, Roermond
Our Lady of Schilberg, Echt
Our Lady of Haarlem, Haarlem
Our Lady of Eiteren, IJsselstein
Our Lady in the Oak, Meerveldhoven
Our Lady of Aarle-Rixtel, Aarle-Rixtel
Nicaragua
San Francisco de Cuapa
Catedral de León (Nicaragua)
Pakistan
National Marian Shrine, Mariamabad
Philippines
Virgen de los Remedios de Pampanga, Patrona de la Pampanga, Arzopispado de Pampanga, Archdiocese of San Fernando, San Fernando, Pampanga
National Shrine of Our Lady of Covadonga, Nuestra Senora de Covadonga Reina del Rosario Santissimo de La Trinidad, (San Jose Parish Church, Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet)
Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, Carmelite Monastery Church, Lipa City, Batangas
Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay, Taal, Batangas
Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Visitation of Piat, Piat, Cagayan
Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Naga City, Camarines Sur
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Salvation, Joroan, Tiwi, Albay
Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Malolos, Bulacan
Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace (EDSA Shrine), Mandaluyong City
Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila
Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto, Sampaloc, Manila
Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Seňora de Guia, Ermita, Manila
Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia de Manila, Paco, Manila
Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, Manaoag, Pangasinan
National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque City
National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Baclaran, Parañaque City
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Pasig City
National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, New Manila, Quezon City
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy, Novaliches, Quezon City
National Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of La Naval de Manila (Santo Domingo Church), Quezon City
National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Quezon City
National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo City, Rizal
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu, San Mateo, Rizal
Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Abandoned, Marikina City
Our Lady of the Pillar, Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Marulas, Valenzuela City
Our Lady of Charity, Bantay, Ilocos Sur
Assumption of Mary, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur
Our Lady of Good Success, Cathedral Parish of St. Andrew, Parañaque
Our Lady of Immaculate Concepcion, Parish Church, Dasmariñas, Cavite
National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Biga II, Silang, Cavite
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga, San Roque Church Cavite City. *Basilica of Our Lady of Charity , Agoo, La Union
Poland
The Black Madonna of Częstochowa in Jasna Góra Monastery, Częstochowa, Poland
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lichen in Licheń Stary, Poland
Kodeń, The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Kodeń, Poland
Różanystok, The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Różanystok, Poland
Brdów, The Sanctuary of Victoriaus Our Lady of Brdów, Poland
Stoczek Klasztorny, The Sanctuary Our Lady of Stoczek, Poland
Basilica of Omni-mediatress of All Glories, Niepokalanów
Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Krzeszów, Krzeszów, Lower Silesian Voivodeship
Marian Sanctuaries in Poland
Locality
Church
Relic or Object
Bardo
Church of the Visitiation of our Lady. Redemptorists
Sculpture of our lady from the 12th century ., crowned July 3, 1966. (abp Bolesław Kominek)
Będków
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Icon of Our Lady of Będkow from the 15th century.
Biechowo
Church of the Immaculate Conception Paulists
Icon of Our Lady of Joy MB from the 15th century crowned September 12, 1976. by (cardinal. Stefan Wyszyński)
Stara Błotnica
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Icon of Our Lady from the 16th century crowned in 1977.
Bochnia
Church of St. Nicholas
Icon of Our Lady from the 15th-16th century, crowned in 1931.
Borek Stary
Monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
obraz MB Borkowskiej z Dzieciątkiem, crowned on the August 15, 1919
Portugal
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima in Fátima, Portugal
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro in Braga, Portugal
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lapa, in Sernancelhe, Portugal
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Health, Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal
Romania
Shrine of Mary Comforter of the Afflicted, Șumuleu Ciuc
Russia
Fyodorovskaya Church, Yaroslavl
Rwanda
Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, Kibeho
Slovakia
Marianka, Malacky District
Serbia
Đunis Monastery, Đunis, central Serbia
Krušedol monastery, Fruška Gora, Vojvodina province
Studenica Monastery, central Serbia
South Africa
Ngome Marian Shrine, KwaZulu-Natal
Slovenia
The National Shrine Mary Help of Christians at Brezje
The mantled Virgin Mary - the protector from Ptujska Gora
Church of Our Lady of Mercy on Zaplaz
Basilica of St. Mary, Mother of God at Sveta Gora
Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Petrovče
Spain
The Sanctuary of Chandavila, in La Codosera, Extremadura
The Sanctuary of Black Virgin of Montserrat, in Montserrat, Catalonia
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Covadonga, in Picos de Europa, Asturias
The Sanctuary of Saint Mary of Guadalupe, in Province of Cáceres, Extremadura
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, in Zaragoza, Aragón
The Shrine of Our Lady of Rocío, in Andalucia
The Basilica and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Candelaria, Tenerife, Canary Islands
The Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Garabandal, in Cantabrian Mountains
The Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows of Umbe, in Laukiz, near Bilbao, Biscay
The Benedictine Sanctuary of Valvanera, in La Rioja
The Basilica of Begoña in Bilbao
Sri Lanka
Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, in Tewatte, Ragama
Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar district
Shrine of Our Lady of Matara in Matara
Switzerland
Shrine of Our Lady of Einsiedeln, Einsiedeln
Madonna del Sasso, Orselina
Syria
Convent of Our Lady of Saidnaya, Saidnaya
Turkey
House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, believed to be the place where Mary was taken to by St. John and lived until the Assumption
Church of Mary in Ephesus, Turkey, in which the Council of Ephesus (the Third Ecumenical Council) was held in 431
Life-giving Spring in Istanbul, a famous spring associated with the healing powers of the Theotokos, the feast of which is celebrated on the Friday after Easter.
Ukraine
Dzhublyk, Zakarpattia Oblast
Pochayiv Lavra in Ukraine
The Basilica of the Most Holy Theotokos of Zarvanytsia, Ukraine
United Kingdom
Ladyewell Shrine: St Mary's at Fernyhalgh and Ladyewell - The Shrine of Our Lady and the Martyrs, Fulwood, Lancashire, England
Our Lady of Ipswich in Ipswich, England
Anglican shrine and Roman Catholic "national shrine" of Our Lady of Walsingham in Walsingham, England[6]
Shrine of Our Lady of Egmanton in Egmanton, Nottinghamshire, England
Our Lady of the Taper in Cardigan, Wales
Shrine of Our Lady of Caversham, near Reading in Berkshire
Shrine of Our Lady, Bradstowe
Shrine of Our Lady in Penrhys, Wales
Shrine of the Miraculous Relic Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, The Holy Child & St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bedford, England
Our Lady of Doncaster in Doncaster, England
Our Lady of Westminster in Westminster Cathedral, London
Anglican Church and original Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, Willesden, London
Roman Catholic Church and Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, Willesden, London
Church and Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory (also known as "Church of the Assumption" and "Warwick Street Church"), London
United States
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Basilica of the National Shrine of the; in Baltimore, Maryland
Black Madonna Shrine and Grottos, in Jefferson County, Missouri
Blessed Virgin Mary, Shrine of the; in Holy Name of Jesus Church, San Francisco, California
Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, Basilica of; in Erin, Wisconsin
Immaculate Conception, Basilica of the National Shrine of the; in Washington, D.C.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, National Blue Army Shrine of the; in Washington, New Jersey (see Blue Army of Our Lady of Fátima#Blue Army Shrine)
Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine, National Shrine of; in Orlando, Florida
Necedah Shrine, an interdicted Marian shrine in Necedah, Wisconsin.
Our Lady of Consolation, Basilica and National Shrine of, in Carey, Ohio
Our Lady of Czestochowa, National Shrine of; in Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Fátima shrine in Franklin Furnace, Ohio
Our Lady of Good Help, Shrine of; Brown County, Wisconsin
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Shrine of; in LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Our Lady of the Island, Shrine of; in Manorville, New York
Our Lady of La Salette, National Shrine of; in Attleboro, Massachusetts
Our Lady of Lebanon, National Shrine of; North Jackson, Ohio
Our Lady of Loreto, in Goliad, Texas
Our Lady of Lourdes, in Emmitsburg, Maryland
Our Lady of Lourdes Belmont Abbey, Charlotte, North Carolina. http://belmontabbeycollege.edu/about/community/
Our Lady of Lourdes, National Shrine of; in Euclid, Ohio
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto located on the grounds of St. Francis Seminary, in St. Francis, Wisconsin
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, in Notre Dame, Indiana
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto maintained by the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate in San Antonio, Texas
Our Lady of Martyrs, Shrine of, Auriesville, New York (also known as the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs)
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, National Shrine of; in Perryville, Missouri
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, National Shrine of; in Middletown, New York
Our Lady of Peace Shrine, in Santa Clara, California
Our Lady of Prompt Succor, in New Orleans, Louisiana
Our Lady of the Rockies, in Butte, Montana
The Official Our Lady of the Roses, Mary Help of Mothers at Bayside, New York
Our Lady of the Snows, National Shrine of, in Belleville, Illinois
Our Lady of Sorrows, Shrine of; in Rhineland, Missouri
Our Lady of Walsingham for the Episcopal Church, National Shrine to; Grace Church, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Our Sorrowful Mother, National Sanctuary of; in Portland, Oregon
Queen of the Holy Rosary Memorial Shrine (in memory of military veterans) in LaSalle, Illinois
Saint Mary, Cathedral of, in Miami, Florida
Schoenstatt Marian Shrine, in Madison, Wisconsin
Uruguay
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, Florida
Venezuela
The Shrine of Our Lady of Betania, in the State of Miranda, Venezuela
Our Lady of Coromoto, Guanare, Venezuela
Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, Zulia, Venezuela
Vietnam
Our Lady of La Vang in Quảng Trị, Vietnam
Notre-Dame de Tà Pao in Binh Thuan, Vietnam
Rectors of Shrine
since 1929 till now
1929 till 1936
Fr. Francis MENHEM
1936 till 1942
Fr. Boulos EL SOKHEN
1942 till 1945
Fr. Hanna GHOSEN
1945 till 1951
Fr. Maroun ANDARY
1951 till 1954
Fr. Boulos EL SOKHEN
1954 till 1959
Fr. Boutros CHALHOUB & Fr. Elias NOHRA EDDEH
1959 till 1966
Fr. Maurice GHATTAS BOUEIZ & Fr. Elias NOHRA EDDEH & Fr. Kamil ANTOUN
1966 till 1977
Fr. Boulos NAJEM & Fr. Kamil Antoun
1983 till 1989
Fr. Kamil ANTOUN & Fr. Philippe YAZBECK, Arthur MHANNA, Philippe SEAIBY
1989 till 1995
Fr. Boulos NAJEM & Fr. Younen OBEID, Hannoun ANDRAOS, Kamil ANTOUN, Maurice BOUEIZ, Emil EDDEH, Hanni CHLELA, Michel CHEBLY, Andreh STEPHAN, Elie ANDARY
1995 till 2001
Fr. Hanni CHLELA & Fr. Boulos NAJEM, Asaad EL BASHA, Ghassan MATTAR, Micehl CHEBLI, Maurice BOUEIZ, Elie ANDARY, Miled SKAYEM, Youhanna charbel BOU ZAKHEM, Jack NKOULAS, Edmond RIZKALLAH, Boulos HABBOUCH, Georges TERES, Georges KEYROUZ
2001 till 2004
Fr. Hannoun ANDRAOS & Fr. Georges KEYROUZ, Emile EDDEH, Elias ANDARY, Maroun HAREB, Fady TABET
2004 till 2007
Fr. Hannoun ANDRAOS & Fr. Elias ANDARY, Philippe SEAAYBI, Emile EDDEH, Maroun HAREB, Antoine DERJANI, Sami RACHED, Gaby GEAAGEAA, Chabel HABCI, Youhanna Yechouh EL KHOURY, Sami CHAAYA, Elie ANDRAOS
2007 till 2013
Fr. Khalil ALWAN & fr. Younen OBEID, Sami RACHED, Antonios BAZOUNY, Saiid IRANY, Youhanna Yechouh EL KHOURY, Elie ANDRAOS
2013 till NOW
fr. Younen OBEID & Fr. Khalil ALWAN, Sami RACHED, Antonios BAZOUNY, Saiid IRANY, Youhanna Yechouh EL KHOURY, Elie ANDARY Habib KALAKECH