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Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles
Maronite Catholic Diocese
Happy New Year Message
Jubilee Year Letter from Bishop A. Elias Zaidan
December 31, 2024
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings and Peace!
His Holiness, Pope Francis, has opened the Jubilee Year on Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Basilica. Since then, all of the dioceses around the world have embarked on a spiritual journey calling the faithful to heed the call of the Holy Father to become “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Jubilee Year is a time of grace, mercy, and renewal. It is a time to open wide the doors of our hearts to Christ, to draw closer to him in every way, and to let the Holy Spirit transform us into faithful disciples.
In our Eparchy, to enhance our spiritual journey during this Jubilee year, I am pleased to designate the following Churches as pilgrimage sites:
- Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon-St. Peter Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA
- St. Raymond Cathedral in St. Louis, MO
- The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, OH
- St. Maron Church in Detroit, MI, the first Maronite Cathedral in the U.S.
- St. Maron Church in Minneapolis, MN, the oldest Church in our Eparchy
- St. George Church in San Antonio, TX, celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025
- St. Sharbel Church in Portland, OR, the first Church dedicated to St. Sharbel in our Eparchy
To live the Holy Year fully and fruitfully, the faithful are encouraged to embrace the following:
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Prayer: Personal and communal, frequent participation in the Holy Eucharist, and Mystery of Reconciliation
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Pilgrimage and Indulgences: Visit a pilgrimage site, meet the requirements for plenary indulgence (https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/05/13/240513f.html) and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.
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Acts of Charity and Mercy: Practice other corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
In preparation for this Jubilee Year, I encourage each of you to take part in the events and activities scheduled throughout our communities. Let us gather in prayer, reflection, and service as we journey together in faith.
I want you to mark your calendars for the following days and follow us on the different social media outlets:
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January 5: Opening of the Jubilee Year from our Cathedral in Los Angeles (Divine Liturgy at 11:00 a.m. PST).
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January 7: Talk about the Jubilee Year from St. Jude Church in West Covina at 7:00 p.m. PST.
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March 28: The Holy Father has asked us to offer “24 Hours for the Lord” in Eucharistic Adoration.
More events will be announced during the year either at the local or Eparchial levels.
Please visit the following sites for more information:
Vatican Jubilee Year 2025 website; https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Jubilee Year 2025 website: https://www.usccb.org/committees/jubilee-2025
May this coming Jubilee Year be a time of profound personal and communal transformation for all of us. Let us open our hearts to God’s grace and allow it to guide us on our spiritual journey.
With sincere best wishes and prayers, I remain
Yours in Christ,
+A. Elias Zaidan
Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles
Caritas Lebanon
Caritas Lebanon
“Darb Mar Charbel” Project
Darb Mar Charbel is the first-ever long-distance pilgrimage route in Lebanon. It is engulfed within the picturesque Lebanese nature and modeled, in many ways, after the Santiago de Compostela trail (Spain). Destined to become a universal heritage for mankind, the Darb, as we hope and believe, will become a much-cherished international pilgrimage destination for our Maronite and Christian youth scattered worldwide, as well as for any pilgrim all over the world and, obviously, for the inland Lebanese population, irrespective of denomination. To read more about the project, please read the letter: Darb Mar Charbel Project Letter
To donate to the Darb Mar Charbel Project please use the button below
Vision for the Future, Mission for Today Capital Campaign
What can I do?
PAUSE, PRAY and ASK what God may be calling you to give on behalf of this effort to serve our local parishes and Eparchial community through this Capital Campaign. Then, as a good steward, you will step up in faith and you will know what your generous gift will be.
Together, let us join pope Francis in his call to “encounter, invite and accompany” all those we meet in Christ’s love. Supporting the mission, vision and ministries of our Eparchy at this time is vitally important to our present and future as Maronite Catholics
One Time Donation to the Capital Campaign
Office of Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults
You have the right to report your story, and we are here to help, listen and connect you to the right services. To ensure the best resources and investigation practices are engaged, we encourage all allegations concerning the abuse and/or neglect of minors and vulnerable adults are reported to the Office of Protection of Minors and vulnerable adults and/or the local police department first before reaching out to the Office of the Protection of Minors and vulnerable adults.
If you need to report, Dr. Laura Kahwaji, Victim Assistance Coordinator at (323) 428-6815.