Feast of Saint Sharbel Celebrated at National Shrine Grotto in Emmitsburg, 2026

​On Saturday, July 25th, 2026, 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. Fr. Frank and parishioners from St. John Newman Parish in Philadelphia, as well as members of the Legion of Mary from Sacred Heart Parish in Glyndon, Maryland, joined the Family of Saint Sharbel and members of the local Lebanese-American community for the celebration.

​The day began at 10:45 AM with Eucharistic Adoration in St. Mary's Chapel, offered in preparation for the Holy Mass that followed at noon. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Theodore Trinko (IVE).

​In his homily, Fr. Trinko reflected on the day's Gospel account of the apostles James and John asking to sit at Christ's right and left hand, contrasting worldly authority with the call to serve. 

​He turned to the example of Saint Sharbel, who throughout his monastic life sought out the lowliest tasks and avoided any outward sign of honor, recalling an episode in which the saint gently rebuked a visiting priest for wearing an ostentatious fur coat over his cassock. Fr. Trinko closed by inviting the faithful to consider, on this feast of St. James, how they might follow Saint Sharbel's example of humble service to their neighbor. Read the full homily HERE.

​Following the Holy Mass, Fr. Trinko led a procession with a first-class relic of Saint Sharbel to his shrine at the Grotto. There, the faithful venerated the relic and received individual blessings with Saint Sharbel's holy oil.

​The celebration concluded with the distribution of prayer cards and traditional Lebanese sweets to those in attendance.