WATERVILLE---As part of a nationwide tour celebrating the 50 ^th anniversary of the beatification of St. Sharbel (1828-1898), relics of St. Sharbel will be on display at St. Joseph Maronite Catholic Church, located on 3 Appleton Street in Waterville, on Thursday, April 28, and Friday, April 29. This is the only display of the relics planned for Maine. People of all faiths are invited to visit and participate in the special events planned.

Thursday, April 28

• Veneration of the relics and silent prayer in the church sanctuary will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Welcome Ceremony: a procession including the St. Joseph Choir, the Knights of Columbus, and other organizations will begin at the church and proceed around the block starting at 5 p.m. All are invited to stay for a free spaghetti supper. Eucharistic adoration and evening prayers will be offered after dinner.

Friday, April 29

• Veneration of the relics will begin at 5:30 a.m.
• Rosary at 6 a.m.
• Chaplet for St. Sharbel at 7 a.m.
• Little Office of St. Sharbel at 8 a.m.
• Morning prayers at 9 a.m.
• Prayers for Healing at 10 a.m.
• St. Sharbel Prayers at 11 a.m.
• Novena of St. Sharbel at noon
• Rosary at 1 p.m.
• Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 2 p.m.
• Chaplet for St. Sharbel at 3 p.m.
• Little Office of St. Sharbel at 4 p.m.
• Charismatic Conference at 5 p.m.
• Divine Liturgy for the Sick at 6 p.m.
• Silent veneration will continue until 10 p.m. when a closing prayer will be said.
  

Throughout both days, videos and displays of St. Sharbel’s life and the Lebanese community will be available in the church hall along with refreshments. St. Sharbel, a hermit monk from Lebanon, was canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul VI. He is called “Instrument of the Divine Physician” and “Model of the Monastic Life.” Although he may not be familiar throughout the U.S., St. Sharbel, whose feast day is the third Sunday in July, is a prominent saint amongst Maronite Catholics and those of the Eastern Rites. For more information on St. Sharbel’s life, miracles, and Saint Maron Monastery in Annaya where Sharbel is entombed, visit www.saintcharbel-annaya.com.
Prayer cards and St. Sharbel chaplets will be available at St. Joseph on Thursday and Friday. A book will be made available for intentions and will then be sent to the monastery in Annaya, Lebanon, to be prayed for by the monks and pilgrims in residence.

For more information about the events on Thursday and Friday, please call the church office at (207) 872-8615 or email [email protected].