The Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon

About The Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon

Our Lady of Lebanon is the Patron Saint of Lebanon. The Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church is located in Harissa, a mountain village about thirty minutes north of Beirut, the capital city. The statue of the Virgin was crafted in Lyons, France. The Blessed Virgin Mary was named the Queen of Lebanon by the Maronite Patriarch on Sunday, May 3, 1908 during the Inaugural Mass upon completion of the Basilica. To this day, the Anniversary of Our Lady of Lebanon is celebrated on the first Sunday of May. The Harissa Shrine, sometimes called Notre Dame du Liban, was visited by Pope John Paul II on May 10, 1997 in his effort to support Eastern Catholicism and to evangelize the youth. Located about 1900 feet above sea level, the view from the Shrine is breathtaking. Some pilgrims take the aerial gondola lift known as the Téléphérique from Jounieh on the coast up to the Harissa Shrine.