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10.18.2013

Our Visit to Lebanon


Pilgrimage to the Valley of the Saints



During our two week stay in Lebanon we were blessed to visit Wadi Qannoubine or otherwise known as Valley of the Saints.  In particular, we went to pray at the shrines of Mar Elisha, Mar Antonious, Sadet Qannoubine, Mar Marina and the Patriarchs’ former residence which is now taken care of by the Antoine Sisters. Visitors are able to come  and reconnect with their Maronite roots and heritage. We thoroughly enjoyed walking in the valley surrounding these significant shrines in our Maronite history and spirituality. The photos highlight some of the shrines we visited.
Media Programs
As part of our mission outreach and exposure in Lebanon we visited Telelumiere and filmed about twenty five-minute programs on vocations, prayer, nurturing faith, scripture, the rosary, and our Maronite Servants’ mission and charism.


We were also interviewed by Christine Zataar for four episodes on various topics such as nurturing the faith in the family, a day in the life of a Maronite Servant, discerning a vocation and how to hear the call of God. In the interviews, we were asked to also share our individual vocation stories and give to witness to God’s love and mercy and on how we came to be Maronite Servants of Christ the Light.
We visited Father Fadi Tabet at Voice of Charity and recorded a program on vocations.  


Visits to the Shrines
We took a full day to visit and pray at the holy shrines of our beloved Maronite Saints. The highlights were to St. Charbel’s hermitage in Annaya, Our Lady of Illge in Mayfouk, St. Nemetallah’s tomb and Blessed Estephan Nehme’s incorrupt body in the monastery of Kfifan, and St. Rafka’s shrine. We also took the time to visit the home of Blessed Estephen Nehme in Lihfid. What a day of blessings and graces as we prayed for the intentions that were entrusted to us.