“Queen of Lebanon” she was named. The story of Our Lady of Lebanon starts high above Beirut. It is a story of faith art and devotion.
Our Lady of Lebanon also known as Our Lady of Harissa is a Marian shrine. It is a pilgrimage site. The shrine is located in the village of Harissa in Lebanon.
The Maronite Patriarchate owns the shrine. They entrusted its administration to the Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries in 1904. Christian Taoutel and Jesuit Lucien Cattin also had roles according to a Lebanese historian. The shrine is one of the most important places in the world. It honors Mary Mother of Jesus.
A huge 15-ton bronze statue highlights the shrine. It stands 8.5 meters high. Its diameter is five meters. The Virgin Mary stretches her hands toward Beirut.
Our Lady of Lebanon draws millions of faithful Christians and Muslims. They come from all over the world. The 50th jubilee in 1954 marked the hundredth anniversary. This was of the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Pope Pius XII sent Cardinal Angelo Roncalli to Lebanon for these celebrations. He later became Pope John XXIII. Pope John Paul II also visited Our Lady of Lebanon in 1997.
The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries reinforces relationships. They work among local Churches Christian communities and apostolic movements.
Lebanese Christians Druze and Muslims have a special devotion to Mary. The Maronite Patriarch of Antioch named her Queen of Lebanon in 1908. This happened upon the shrine’s completion. Overlooking the bay of Jounieh the shrine is a major tourist attraction. Tourists take the Téléphérique gondola lift. It runs from the city of Jounieh to Harissa.
The Statue of Our Lady of Lebanon is French-made. It is a 13-ton statue of the Virgin Mary. It is made of bronze and painted white. It was erected in 1907. It stands on top of a hill 650 meters above sea level. This is in the village of Harissa 20 km north of Beirut. It honors Our Lady of Lebanon. Yousef Khazen donated the land. The statue comprises seven sections. These were assembled on top of a stone base. The base has a bottom perimeter of 64m. The upper perimeter measures 12m. The overall height is 20m. The statue itself is 8.50m high. Its diameter is 5.50m. A French woman who remains anonymous donated the statue.
Pope John Paul II visited the shrine on May 10 1997. This was during an official visit to Lebanon. He conducted a mass in the modern Basilica. The Vatican announced on December 8 1998. The World Day of the Sick would be celebrated on February 11 1999. It would be at Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa. Pope John Paul II prayed. He asked Our Lady of Lebanon to watch over those suffering. He asked her to help all who suffered in the world.
Pope Benedict XVI launched an appeal for peace. This was for Lebanon and Gaza. He invoked the protection of Our Lady of Lebanon on January 28 2007. He encouraged Christians in Lebanon. He urged them to promote real dialogue between communities. He invoked the protection of Our Lady of Lebanon upon everyone.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon resides near the shrine. Residences of four Eastern Catholic Churches patriarchs are also nearby.
Our Lady of Lebanon stands as a beacon. It symbolizes faith unity and peace. It is a testament to Lebanon’s rich spiritual heritage.