On Saturday, July 12th, 2025, the Family of Saint Sharbel USA gathered with pilgrims at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to celebrate the Feast of Saint Sharbel.

Following the Holy Mass, a solemn procession took place with a first-class relic of Saint Sharbel. The faithful were then invited to venerate the relic and receive individual blessings with Saint Sharbel’s holy oil, administered by Fr. Mariano.
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The celebration concluded with the distribution of prayer cards and traditional Lebanese sweets.

​On Saturday, May 10th, the Family of Saint Sharbel USA celebrated St. Sharbel’s birthday at the National Shrine Grotto in Emmitsburg, MD! Participants gathered for adoration, confession, and a Divine Liturgy, in St. Mary's Chapel, celebrated in honor of both St. Sharbel and Pope Leo XIV, who was elected to the papacy on St. Sharbel's birthday (May 8th). 

​During his homily, Fr. Trinko highlighted the presence of Catholics from both Eastern and Western rites at the liturgy, and he emphasized that our unity comes from being under one Pope.  When presenting prayer intentions, he prayed for unity of all Christians under Pope Leo XIV. 

​Following the liturgy, which included St. Sharbel hymns, Fr. Trinko led a procession with Saint Sharbel’s Relic while the faithful followed singing Maronite hymns.

​​After the Holy Mass, the priest led a procession with the relic of Saint Sharbel (placed in a cedar-shape reliquary) while the faithful followed singing the traditional Maronite hymns. At the Shrine, the celebration concluded with the blessing with the oil of Saint Sharbel and the veneration of his relic.

​On July 13, 2024, the Family of Saint Sharbel in the US celebrated the Feast of Saint Sharbel at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

​The event began with Eucharistic Adoration at 10:45 AM, followed by the Holy Mass at 12 PM, celebrated by Fr. Cesar (IVE) and Fr. Theodore Trinko (IVE), Chaplains at the Shrine, in St. Mary's Chapel. The celebration was attended by members of the local Lebanese community, other pilgrims of the National Shrine, and Mr. Raymond Nader, Founder and President of the Family of Saint Sharbel.

​After the Holy Mass, the priests led a procession with Saint Sharbel’s Relic ending with the blessing with & veneration of Saint Sharbel’s Relic. Fr. Cesar blessed the people individually with the holy oil of Saint Sharbel.

​After the ceremonies, sweets and prayer cards were offered to the pilgrims.

​At the end, Mr. Raymond Nader gave a talk about Saint Sharbel, the Family of Saint Sharbel in the world, and the “return of the evil spirits”.

​In this talk, Raymond Nader emphasizes the critical role of faith in the current world and highlights Saint Sharbel's miraculous works worldwide.  Mr. Nader also explores the concept of spiritual warfare, identifying three primary demons at battle against the Kingdom of God (Baal, Ashtar, and Molech) and points out contemporary signs of their influence.  He warns that as society distances itself from God, it leaves a spiritual void that makes humanity more susceptible to demonic influences.

According to Mr. Nader, Saint Sharbel’s miracles are divine messages urging humanity to return to God; Sharbel's work is a beacon of hope, reminding us of the power of God’s presence and the importance of living a life aligned with divine purpose.  Mr. Nader concludes with a call to action.

​The Family of Saint Sharbel celebrated the Birthday of Saint Sharbel on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Shrine of Saint Sharbel, at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Emmitsburg, MD. 

​The celebration started with Confessions, then at 12 PM, Fr. Cesar celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Mary's Chapel.

After the Holy Mass, a first-class relic of Saint Sharbel was made available for veneration. Then Fr. Cesar led a procession with the relic, while the faithful followed singing Maronite hymns. At the shrine, they gathered for the final blessing with the relic and individual blessing with the Holy oil of Saint Sharbel.

Watch the Celebration Video

​On Saturday October 15, 2022, The Family of Saint Sharbel celebrated the fifth anniversary of the dedication of Saint Sharbel's Shrine at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (Emmitsburg, MD).

Father Theodore Trinko (Institute of the Incarnate Word, IVE- http://ive.org/en/) celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with him was Rev. Youssef Keikati (Pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Easton, PA) and Fr. Cesar (IVE), Chaplain at the Shrine.
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Fr. Keikati came with 40 people from his parish.

The choir chanted in English and Arabic the proper traditional Maronite hymns for parts of the liturgies.

​After the Divine Liturgy, the Fathers led a procession with the relic of St. Sharbel (placed in a cedar-shape reliquary) while the faithful followed singing the traditional Maronite hymns. At the Shrine, the celebration concluded with the blessing with and the veneration of the relic of St. Sharbel.

​After the celebration, the Family of Saint Sharbel offered to pilgrims sweets and complimentary prayer cards.

Watch Full Video of the Celebration

On the 23rd of July 2022, “The Family of Saint Sharbel” in the US celebrated the Feast of Saint Sharbel at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 

At 12 PM, Fr. Cesar (IVE), Chaplain at the Shrine, celebrated the Holy Mass in St. Mary's Chapel. The Lebanese community in the area, as well as other pilgrims of the National Shrine, joined “The Family of Saint Sharbel” in this celebration.

After the Holy Mass, Fr. Cesar celebrated the veneration of and the blessing with St. Sharbel’s Relic. ​

At the end, Literature on Saint Sharbel were distributed to the faithful.

The Family of Saint Sharbel celebrated the birthday of Saint Sharbel on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, at the Shrine of Saint Sharbel, at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Emmitsburg, MD. 

At 12 PM, Fr. Theodore Trinko (IVE), Chaplain of the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, celebrated the Holy Mass in St. Mary's Chapel. ​

Watch the video

Click HERE to read the homily of Fr. Trinko.

​On the 9th of October 2021, “The Family of Saint Sharbel” in the US celebrated the fourth anniversary of the Shrine of Saint Sharbel at the National Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

​On this occasion, Fr Cesar celebrated the Holy Mass in St. Mary's Glass Chapel. “The Family of Saint Sharbel, USA” participated in the celebration along with the Lebanese community in the area, as well as other pilgrims. Arabic Maronite hymns were incorporated into the anniversary Mass.

​After the Mass, Fr Cesar led a procession with the relic of Saint Sharbel (placed in a cedar-shape reliquary) while the faithful followed singing the traditional Maronite hymns. At the shrine, they gathered for the final blessing with the relic. In conclusion of the celebration, the faithful approached to venerate Saint Sharbel’s relic placed in front of the statue.

​October 9, 2021 is also the 44th memorial of the canonization of Saint Sharbel which took place in 1977.