Tag: Melto D’Moronoyo

In December, we begin to think about Christmas, although shopping centres begin a marketing campaign as early as October. Preparation is not about focussing on presents to be purchased and food to be made, but a time to prepare our hearts for the Word of God.

In our Maronite Church this week, we celebrate the Visitation to Elizabeth, the third Sunday in the Season of the Glorious Birth of Our Lord, writes Fr Abboud.

This Sunday, the Maronite Church reflects on the Annunciation to Mary, when the Archangel Gabriel delivered the divine message to Mary.

The Maronite Church marked this week the Sunday of the Renewal of the church, the second Sunday in our liturgical calendar, building upon last week’s Sunday of the Consecration of the church.

When we forget that we are adopted children of a loving God, made in his image and likeness, it is not a surprise that so many of us spend our whole lives searching aimlessly for love, identity and purpose, writes Joseph Boulos.

From the earliest centuries of the church, the spiritual life has been understood as a progression in stages from the body, to the soul, to the spirit. Maronite Seminarian Dominic Altakchy explains how this ascent relies on hope.

The rosary, while not of Maronite origin, is believed to have been adopted by Lebanese Catholics as early as 1580. The great Maronite saints were all devoted to Our Lady through the rosary, a habit we should share, writes Antonious Tarrazi.

The Holy Father asks us to pray for the “cry of the Earth” in September. As we reflect on his intention, we must remember that caring for creation requires simplicity and humility, writes Sr Margaret Ghosn MSHF.

This feast, celebrated on 14 September, commemorates how, in 628, Emperor Heraclius recaptured the Cross that the Persians had stolen in 614. On this day, we also commemorate the finding of the Cross by St Helena in 326, and the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It reminds us of the shortness of life, and to focus on what is eternal, writes Fr Yuhanna Azize

Prayer is the cultivation in one’s heart of receptivity, openness and acceptance before the God who offers himself to us.

Blessed Estephan Nehme’s words were few yet filled with wisdom, reflecting a deep relationship with Christ, being focussed on words he had repeated since his childhood: “God sees me.”

On the Feast of Our Lady’s Assumption, we are reminded of the triumph of Christ, her Son, over all evil and suffering, writes Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay.