A special mass held on Sunday morning 5 May at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park was a poignant convergence of faith and spiritual heritage as the community celebrated the 320th anniversary of the passing of Patriarch Estephan El Douaihy and the Feast of Our Lady of Lebanon.

Among esteemed guests, Archbishop Charles Balvo, the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, and Bishop Robert Rabbat, Bishop of the Melkite Catholic Eparchy of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, graced us with their presence, as did diplomatic representatives of Lebanon and distinguished guests from the Lebanese Parliament, and community and business leaders, underscoring the significance of this occasion both for the Church in Australia and Lebanon.

Following the mass, a statue of the Venerable Patriarch by renowned Lebanese sculptor Albert Basbous was unveiled thanks to the incredible generosity of Mr Sarkis Jalalaty and his family who donated it to Our Lady of Lebanon. A documentary on the life of the Patriarch was also screened afterwards.

Let us also continue to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the grace of holiness within our Church, as we look forward to the beatification of Patriarch El Douaihy on 2 August 2024 in Lebanon.

To watch the mass and unveiling of the statue please visit Noursat Australia’s Youtube:

*Photos courtesy of Visualeyes Photography