MYO Fall Regional Retreat -- Pittsburgh, PA

Giving Thanks 

On Saturday November 5^th, the Maronite Servants of Christ the Light facilitated with the help of generous volunteers a Regional  MYO Retreat at Our Lady of Victory Church, Pittsburgh, PA. The retreat schedule was planned and coordinated by Sr. Therese Maria and Rosa Calabria.  Father Rudy Wakim, pastor of the parish graciously hosted over 50 teens and chaperones from six surrounding Maronite parishes. We were blessed to have Fr. Claude Franklin from the Newcastle parish and Fr. Baddoui Habib from the Uniontown parish join us for our retreat day to help by hearing confessions. 

The focus of the retreat day was “Giving Thanks” and praising God for the many blessings in our lives. The teens were challenged to express their gratitude and be thankful for the simple things in their everyday life. In one of our small group activities they wrote on pumpkins highlighting what they were grateful for: family, friends, health, faith etc. As the MYO family, this retreat gave us the opportunity to come together in adoration to praise God like Mary, who magnified God for the great mercy he has shown. 

“The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name” (Luke 1:49).

LIght Your Lamps - Maronite Prayer

A Syriac Hymn from the Prayer of the Faithful

1. Light your lamps, sisters and brothers, for the Bridegroom is about to arrive (Mt 25:1-13).

2. He makes the Righteous dwell in the spiritual garden of Eden on the day of salvation.

3. He opens the bridal chamber of light to them, and they praise him with their harps.

4. They also exult in meeting him when he comes, for they expect him and hope in his name.

5. Behold the Bridegroom is about to arrive. Blessed are they who are expecting him.

6. He interweaves a crown of glory for the Righteous, who expect his name and his redemption.

7. The First-born (Col 1:15) arose and descended to Sheol to raise the dead from their graves.

8. The Just saw his light in Sheol and eagerly watched for the return of the Son of the Merciful One.

9. They forgot their pain and the suffering they endured when they saw their Lord hung on a tree.

10. He gave us life because of his mercy, and he intermingled our mortality with the angels.

11. Death lay in wait for our humanity. But he came in his lovingkindness and saved us.

12. To you be glory, Lord of the angels, for your shining forth gladdened the mournful in Sheol.

13. Thenceforth the night fled and vanished, and your light shone on Creation.

14. He descended from the height, saved us, and ascended [back]; behold he sits again on the right [hand of the Father] (Mk 16:5).

15. They eagerly watch for his coming, when he comes again: all those who expect him and hope in his name.

16.  He entered Sheol, his light shone, and drove out darkness from its departed.

17. The fruit Adam ate killed him; the fruit of the height descended and saved him.

18. He burst open the graves, raised the dead, and depicted to us the type of his magnificent day.

19. He drew near, and the day of resurrection arrived; blessed are they who expect him.

20.  The day on which he comes is magnificent because all hidden things are revealed on it.

21.  Those lying in the dust hear his voice on the day of the resurrection and come out to meet him.

22.  Adam marvels when he is resurrected and returns to the place filled with blessedness. (reprinted from www.hiddenpearl.org)

Praying with God’s Word: Lectio Divina

The Sacred Scriptures are an indispensible source and guide for personal spiritual growth. In our Divine Liturgy, the words of Sacred Scripture permeate and animate our prayers. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).

An ancient Christian practice for praying with the Bible is called lectio divina (Latin: divine reading). This method of prayer is a great help in deepening one’s relationship with God. In lectio divina, we read and re-read a passage slowly and prayerfully, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire our prayer. Through this meditation on Scripture we nourish our communion with the One who not only loves us but longs to be one with us.

He speaks to us through his Word, for it is living and effective (Heb 4:12), and has the power to move and transform us. Each one of us can cooperate and open the ears of our hearts, quiet the inner and outer distractions, and pay attention to what is really happening within, and specifically to the areas in our life that God is calling us to change.

The four steps of lectio divina are simple: Read, Reflect, Pray, Act. The duration of each step can be adjusted to each one’s needs and circumstances. A passage from the Bible is selected (possibly the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel). Then the steps below are used as a guide to ponder quietly the passage, allowing the words to penetrate, encourage, challenge and inspire one in becoming a more authentic disciple of Jesus.

1.     Read- Read the passage slowly and thoughtfully.

2.     Reflect- Reread the passage. This time notice what stands out: is there a word or image or a particular verse that resonates with or challenges or consoles you? Ponder it. What is God saying to you?

3.     Pray- After reflecting, pray by listening to God and speaking to Him in your heart. God loves to listen to us and wants to hear what is in our hearts–our feelings, fears, hopes, and the intentions of the people we love and care for.

4.     Act- What resolution or actions are you inspired to make from reading this passage? Think of something realistic and practical e.g. to be more grateful, to be less critical, to be open to seeking counsel and spiritual direction, to spend more time in prayer, to go to Divine Liturgy and Confession more regularly. You may be inspired with other resolutions.

Conclude the lectio divina giving God thanks for this time of prayer.

Let us pray:

O Holy and Immortal Lord sanctify our minds and purify our consciences that we may praise you with pure hearts and listen to your Holy Scriptures. To you be glory, forever. Amen.

For a summary of this see this video link on praying with the Word: 

If you have any further questions, thoughts or need some resources on prayer or spiritual direction please contact the Maronite Servant Sisters at sister@maroniteservants.org or at 508-996-1753. 

Maronite Holy Door Pilgrimage – Worcester MA

By Sr. Natalie Sayde Salameh

The Maronite Servants of Christ the Light in collaboration with Fr. Alex Joseph, pastor, facilitated a regional pilgrimage to Our Lady of Mercy Church in Worcester, MA, on Sunday, October 16^th. In the Eparchy of St. Maron, this is one of the sites of pilgrimage with a Holy Door. Our Lord stands at the door of our hearts knocking. We are called, especially in this Jubilee, to open our hearts to God’s abundant mercy. 

It was a beautiful, grace-filled day. The pilgrimage began with Divine Liturgy followed by brunch in the Church Hall.  Afterwards, all gathered in the Church for exposition of the Holy Mysteries and adoration.  The congregation entered at the vestibule offering prayers for the intentions of Pope Francis, and then each pilgrim processed through the Holy Door while receiving a blessing of holy water from Father. The Maronite Servant Sisters facilitated the adoration while Fr. Alex heard confessions.