A grand ceremony took place at the Maronite Patriarchate seat, attended by thousands of faithful and numerous officials, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati, ministers, and deputies.
The long-awaited date for many Lebanese Christians, particularly those from the village of Zgharta and the broader North Lebanon region, has arrived. On Friday, at the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkerke, the beatification of Patriarch Stephane Douaihy was officially proclaimed. During a mass celebrated by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, the beatification was declared by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, representing Pope Francis, to the sound of Bkerke’s bells and the cheers of the faithful and an impressive assembly of dignitaries.
This first beatification of a Maronite patriarch was approved by Pope Francis on March 14, following the authentication of a miracle attributed to the then “venerable” patriarch. The Holy Father had summoned Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, to announce his d
ecision on Aug. 2.
The official ceremony took place Friday evening in Bkerke, attended by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai and thousands of faithful who had already begun gathering in the patriarchate’s courtyard, where thousands of chairs were set up to welcome the crowd.
This event is greeted with even more fervor given that the country is going through one of its darkest periods, with a series of crises since 2019 the latest of which is the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Fear of escalations looms in Lebanon and the region, following the dramatic events and assassinations of recent days – from targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs and assassinating Fouad Shukur, a senior Hezbollah military commander, to the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh a few hours later in Tehran.
On Saturday, a grand mass is planned in Ehden, the birthplace of the newly beatified and a summer retreat for the people of Zgharta. The event is also expected to draw large crowds.
Douaihy, an enlightened and ope
n spirit
Father Boulos Azzi, responsible for introducing the cause of saints in the Maronite Church, submitted a dossier of a healing miracle attributed to the intercession of Douaihy to the Vatican in 2019.
Born in Ehden in 1630, Douaihy was patriarch from 1670 until his death in 1704. Considered a “pillar” and a “glory” of his church, he founded numerous schools and convents and was known as one of the most prolific religious historians. Recognized as venerable in 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI, his body rests at the patriarchal convent of Qannobin in the Holy Valley, near the hermitage of Saint Marina, one of the most revered saints in Lebanon.
One of Douaihy’s main legacies was organizing the Maronite Church. Before him, the Maronite community and its church were scattered and followed various customs and references.
The newly beatified was also a scholarly and open-minded spirit who believed in the Maronites’ mission in their Arab and Muslim environment, particularly a crucial mission of communication in
the region. He practiced this openness towards other communities in his life. He authored several works on the history of the Maronites and the role of Christians in the East.
Douaihy joins an already long list of saints, blessed, and venerable in Lebanon, including Saint Charbel, Saint Rafqa, and Saint Nehmatallah Hardini.
Political reactions to the beatification
Several politicians reacted on social media to the beatification of Douaihy. MP Michel Moawad, also from Zgharta, highlighted the newly beatified Patriarch’s role in “transforming the society of Mount Lebanon from poor and illiterate to prosperous and educated.” He also emphasized “the work the patriarch had undertaken within the Maronite Church itself,” considering him “the father of the idea of Lebanon,” with its constant values of freedom and independence.
“A new blessed from my country,” tweeted MP Samy Gemayel, president of the Kataeb Party. “The land of holiness offers saints to the whole world; through their intercession we will resist,”
he added.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon