​After the Holy Gospel, Father Trinko, indicated in his Homily, that Saint Sharbel spent 23 years as monk and priest in the monastery and the last 23 years of his life as a hermit; He lived the monastic virtues of poverty, chastity and obedience; He spent hours adoring the Blessed Sacrament and showed a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin; He was venerated and loved by people in Middle East and around the world.
 
Father Trinko pointed out to the multitude of miracles and favors the saint offers to those who ask with faith from all over the world.

​​After the Mass, the priest carried the Relic of Saint Sharbel, processing with it among the faithful and blessing them as he went by. Meanwhile the choir director chanted in English and Arabic the proper traditional Maronite hymns.  At the end, the priest returned to the altar and gave the final blessing with the Relic of Saint Sharbel.

​​National Shrine Grotto of
​Our Lady of Lourdes
16330 Grotto Road
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Phone: 301-447-5318

​Visitors are required to wear masks while on the property and to observe 6-feet social distancing protocols.
Try to arrive a little early as the number of visitors is limited to 500 at a time which may lead to waiting periods (in the parking).