The feast of the patron saint St. Maron was celebrated in the Maronite Convent in Jerusalem. The solemn mass was presided by the Patriarchal Vicar of the Maronite Church in Jordan and in the Holy Land, Bishop Musa Al-Haj, and was attended by parishioners, priests and religious authorities. Saint Maron was born in 350 AD and his name is tied to contemplation and adoration. He withdrew from public life and preferred to live on the top of Mount Taurus, in northern Syria. He gathered many followers and performed many miracles. Father OMAR AL-HASHIM Maronite Church – Lebanon "The presence of the Church in the Holy City has a purpose: to bear witness to the Lord, following the example of Saint Maron, and to strive to be the seed of wheat, which dies in this land to bear a hundred times more fruit for many years". In his homily, the Patriarchal Vicar welcomed those present and praised the courageous step taken by Pope Francis during his visit to the United Arab Emirates in signing the document "Human Fraternity" for world peace and living together. HE Mgr MUSA AL-HAJ Patriarchal Vicar of the Maronite Church in Jordan and in the Holy Land "We congratulate Maronite parishes here and around the world. We are in the heart of the Catholic Church as a milestone in the way we approach asceticism, prayer and clarity. We say: our faith is the faith of Peter and the faith of Peter is our faith". At the end of the Mass, Mgr. Musa El-Hajj blessed those present with an image of St. Maron. Read More