2 MARCH
SAINT JOHN MARON
Today the Maronite Church celebrates the memorial of its first patriarch of Antioch, John Maron. Since in the second half of the seventh century AD the See of Antioch was vacant, the Maronites elected a patriarch from the monastery of Saint Maron on the Orante. John Maron was a spiritual leader and a patriot who defended his people and accompanied them to Lebanon during this persecution. Tradition says that he died and was buried at Kafr Hayy (Batroun) in the sanctuary which is consecrated to him. Previously our Church celebrated his feast on March 9; Patriarch Joseph Estephan transferred his memorial to this date in 1778AD. May his prayers be with us. Amen.
9 MARCH
FORTY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE
The governor of Sebaste in Armenia wished to force forty soldiers to renounce Christ. First he imprisoned them and then he threw them into a frozen pool. They prayed with one heart: ‘’we forty have entered the arena, O Lord, grant that we may be able to receive the crown.’’ One of them escaped and renounced Christ, but their guard, a pagan, took his place. In the morning the guards broke their legs and burned their bodies. They received the crown of martyrdom around the year 322AD. May their prayers be with us. Amen.
19 MARCH
SAINT JOSEPH
Saint Jospeh was the spouse of Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ our Lord. He was from the line of David and worked as a carpenter at Nazareth. God chose him for the greatest mission ever conferred upon a man. His humility, his sanctity and his confidence in God were remarkable. Devotion to Saint Joseph had its origins in the west. The whole Church now venerates him. The Maronite Church also commemorates him on the fifth Sunday of announcement as it prepares for the birth of our Lord. May God guard us by his prayers. Amen
25 MARCH
ANNUNCIATION OF VIRGIN MARY
The Maronite calendar commemorates this feast twice during the year: on March 25th and on the Second Sunday of announcement. Today’s feast goes back to the fourth century AD, when it was decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25th; the Annunciation was naturally celebrated nine months before. This is a great feast in both the east and the west since it recalls the mystery of the incarnation of Son of God in the womb of the Virgin. May the prayers of the Blessed Virgin protect us. Amen.
26 MARCH
GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL
It is the custom of Eastern churches to continue the celebration of the memorial of a saint on the day following his feast. This is why we celebrate on March 26th the memorial of the Archangel Gabriel who bore the announcement of the incarnation to the Virgin Mary, our Mother. The name Gabriel is a Hebrew word which signifies “the strength of God.” May God through the intercession of His angel strengthen us so that we may serve Him. Amen.
