The Fifth Anniversary of the Dedication of Saint Sharbel's Shrine-2022

​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.
​
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.

​Father Trinko compared in his Homily the virtues of the Maronite Saint (Sharbel) with those of the Carmelite Saint (Theresa of Avila) on her feast day. He also made some propositions on how we may follow in their practices.

​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