Maronite Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon

While preaching a mission at the Maronite National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, North Jackson, OH, I had the pleasure of visiting the Dominican parish in Youngstown, OH (St. Dominic's) It has the most magnificent mural depicting notable saints from the Order of Preachers. Plus the Friars stationed there are 101% orthodox & very Catholic.

Above is a picture (from my phone) of the Dominican Church and below is a shot from the Maronite Shrine

Here is the sanctuary. The Maronites are the only Eastern Catholics who never went into schism. They have always been and remain in union with Rome and the Successor of St. Peter, the Pope. Their Divine Liturgy is like the Byzantine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom but their liturgical language is not Greek or Old Slovanik, rather Syriac (Aramaic), the tongue of Jesus Himself. I highly encourage Latin Rite Catholics to visit our Eastern Catholic churches, like the Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Melkite, Maronite, etc. Their Divine Liturgy is awesome, reverent, traditional and no one leaves early.

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Anthony Spinosa, rector, and yours truly

(what a Dynamic Duo, like Cosmas & Damian;

Cyril & Methodius; Boris & Gleb)