Our Lady of Lebanon seminary [Maronite]

Welcome & Identity

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary identifies itself with the motto 'Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men' (Matthew 4:19). It is the formation house of the Maronite Catholic Church in the United States, providing the educational, human, spiritual, and pastoral environment in which candidates discern and prepare for ordination. Its stated mission is to perpetuate the Syriac and Maronite tradition in the United States and throughout the world, with alumni called to serve Maronite parishes nationwide.

History

From a 1950s dream to a U.S. Maronite institution, the seminary grew through the determination of Maronite clergy and laity, the support of the Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Churches, and the pastoral welcome of Archbishop (later Cardinal) Patrick O'Boyle of Washington. It opened its doors on September 24, 1961, was formally dedicated by Patriarch Paul Cardinal Meouchi in 1962, expanded with a new wing in 2001, and has ordained sixty-eight priests — two of them bishops — over its first forty-eight years.

• 1959: Sacred Congregation for the Oriental Churches forms fundraising committee
• June 1960: Archbishop O'Boyle convenes 24 U.S. Maronite priests in Washington; $500,000 fundraising goal set
• July 1961: House at Alaska Avenue NW purchased
• September 24, 1961: Seminary opens; Rev. Elias El-Hayek first Rector; Fr. Seely Beggiani prefect of studies; 5 seminarians
• December 3, 1961: Visited by Amleto Cardinal Cicognani, Papal Secretary of State
• St. Maron's Feast Day 1962: Open house seeds the Maronite parish community of Washington
• August 26, 1962: Patriarch Paul Cardinal Meouchi formally dedicates the seminary at the National Shrine; Bishop Fulton J. Sheen preaches
• May 2, 1964: Robert Shaheen — first alumnus — ordained by Archbishop Zayek
• January 10, 1966: Archbishop Francis Zayek becomes first Maronite bishop of the U.S.
• May 1968: Fr. Seely Beggiani named Rector
• 1986: 25th anniversary celebrated
• March 6, 2001: Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir dedicates the new Abraham Wing (gift of Anthony Abraham, Miami)

Sponsoring Bishops & Eparchies

The seminary is co-sponsored by the two U.S. Maronite eparchies. The Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn covers the Eastern United States under Bishop Gregory John Mansour; the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles covers the West under Bishop A. Elias Zaidan.

• Bishop Gregory John Mansour — Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn
• Bishop A. Elias Zaidan — Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles

Leadership & Clergy

The seminary is led by a Rector, currently Msgr. Peter F. (Fahed) Azar. Over the decades, the seminary has been shaped by a small and deeply devoted community of Maronite priests, several of whom — including Bishop Robert Shaheen and Bishop Gregory Mansour — were themselves formed there. The Rector, alumni, and seminarians have produced a substantial body of texts on Maronite liturgy, catechetics, theology, spirituality, and history.

• Msgr. Peter F. Azar — Rector (current)
• Rev. Seely Beggiani (later Chorbishop) — long-time Rector (1968–); founding prefect of studies
• Rev. Elias El-Hayek (later Msgr.) — first Rector (1961–1967)
• Chorbishop Dominic Ashkar
• Msgr. Ronald Beshara
• Chorbishop Camille Zaidan
• Bishop Stephen Hector Doueihi (later Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Maron)
• Rev. Naji Kiwan
• Msgr. Ignace Sadek

Formation & Academic Life

Seminarians pursue their theological, scriptural, liturgical, and pastoral studies in an environment that combines human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. The seminary takes advantage of its Washington, D.C. location by partnering with The Catholic University of America, where students may earn pontifical degrees in theology and canon law and study Semitic and Oriental languages. Before admission, candidates must complete an application, secure their pastor's recommendation, undergo a medical examination and a psychological evaluation; foreign students must also pass the TOEFL.

• Undergraduate seminary program (high-school graduates)
• Pre-theology and theology cycles
• Supervised pastoral ministry
• Pontifical degrees via Catholic University of America
• Semitic and Oriental languages
• Admissions: application, pastor's recommendation, medical exam, psychological evaluation; TOEFL for foreign students

Vocations

The seminary exists to receive and form men who sense a call to the ordained priesthood of the Maronite Church. As the website explains, 'every Christian is called to be a disciple of Christ… It is part of God's plan that certain men be called to the ordained ministry of the priesthood. A seminary is a place where those who feel that they may have been called to this special role of service come to reflect further on God's intentions for them.' Candidates are encouraged to contact the seminary directly to begin discernment.

• Discernment retreats and visits
• Maronite Enrichment Days — an annual formation event with academic and spiritual speakers
• Direct contact via the seminary office (202) 723-8831 or [email protected]

Liturgy & Chapel Life

The seminary chapel is the heart of daily prayer. The Maronite Church follows the Antiochene (West Syriac) tradition, sharing with all Catholic Churches the same dogmatic faith, seven sacraments, moral teaching, and communion with the Pope of Rome. The Maronite Seminary Chamber Choir enhances the Divine Liturgy and represents the seminary at various events. Many of the priests ordained at the seminary have gone on to produce texts on Maronite liturgy and chant.

• Daily Maronite Divine Liturgy in the seminary chapel
• Maronite Seminary Chamber Choir
• Antiochene/West Syriac liturgical tradition
• Solemnities and feasts observed with the wider Maronite calendar (e.g. St. Sharbel, the Massabki Brothers, St. Maron)

Maronite Enrichment Days & Conferences

The seminary hosts an annual 'Maronite Enrichment Days' program of academic lectures on Syriac Christianity, Maronite history, theology, and spirituality, often featuring visiting scholars such as Dr. Joseph P. Amar, Dr. Robin Darling Young, Dr. David Michelson, and Chorbishop Seely Beggiani. It has also hosted Syriac Maronite Conferences — for example in April 2018 and April 2019 — gathering scholars and clergy to study topics like 'The Genius of Ephrem the Syrian' and 'Themes in Syriac Spirituality.'

• Maronite Enrichment Days 2020 — Dr. Robert Kitchen on The Book of Steps
• Maronite Enrichment Days 2021 — Rev. Dr. Rodrigue Constantin
• Maronite Enrichment Days 2022 — Fr. Claude Franklin; Dr. Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
• Maronite Enrichment Days 2023 — Dr. David Michelson; Chorbishop Seely Beggiani
• Maronite Enrichment Days 2024 — Dr. Robin Darling Young; Maronite Seminary Chamber Choir
• Maronite Enrichment Days 2025 — Dr. Joseph P. Amar; Maronite Seminary Chamber Choir
• Syriac Maronite Conference — April 2018 and April 2019

Order of St. Sharbel

Established in 1980, the Order of St. Sharbel is an association of lay people and clergy who have pledged their spiritual strength and financial support to Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary and to the retired Maronite clergy of both U.S. eparchies. It underwrites a significant portion of the seminary's operating expenses and supports the retirement fund of the clergy, and it remains the principal lay vehicle for sustaining Maronite priestly formation in this country.

• Founded 1980
• Lay and clerical members
• Spiritual and financial support for the seminary
• Support for retired Maronite clergy
• Perpetual Membership available

National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM)

The National Apostolate of Maronites (originally the National Association of Maronites) was created in 1964 under the leadership of Archbishop Francis Zayek, with one of its principal purposes being to provide ongoing support for the seminary. It remains the national lay organization of U.S. Maronites and a key partner of the seminary's mission.

• Founded 1964 by Archbishop Francis Zayek
• National Maronite lay organization
• Sustains and supports the seminary

Sacraments at the Adjacent Parish

Seminarians and the local Maronite faithful worship together at the adjacent Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church (7142 Alaska Avenue NW), where the Maronite Mysteries (Sacraments) are celebrated according to Antiochene tradition. Reconciliation is heard every Sunday before the Divine Liturgy, and the parish offers catechesis for First Communion (after first-grade religious education) and Confirmation (administered together with Baptism in the Maronite rite).

• Baptism & Confirmation (administered together)
• First Communion at end of 2nd grade (after 1st-grade catechesis)
• Reconciliation: Sundays 10:15–10:45 AM
• Holy Matrimony
• Sunday School (pre-school through high school)
• Annual First Communion class

Devotions

Devotional life centers on the Blessed Virgin Mary — particularly under the title Our Lady of Lebanon, patroness of the Maronite Church — and on the saints of the Maronite tradition, especially St. Sharbel and the three Blessed Massabki Martyrs (commemorated July 10).

• Holy Rosary every Sunday at 10:15 AM
• Monthly Holy Hour of Adoration (last Sunday of the month)
• Feast of St. Sharbel (July 24, with special parish liturgy on the Sunday nearest the date)
• Feast of Our Lady of Lebanon (first Sunday of May)
• Feast of the Three Blessed Massabki Martyrs (July 10)
• Feast of St. Maron (February 9)

Visiting & Contact

The seminary welcomes visitors, scholars, and those discerning a vocation. It is located at 7164 Alaska Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20012, in the Brightwood Park / Takoma area near The Catholic University of America. The Rector, Msgr. Peter F. Azar, can be reached through the seminary office.

• Address: 7164 Alaska Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20012
• Phone: (202) 723-8831
• Email: [email protected]
• Rector: Msgr. Peter F. Azar