United in Honor: Lebanon Celebrates the Assumption of Mary

Introduction: A Celebration of Unity, Faith, and Family

What if a single day could unite an entire country—families, parishes, schools, and even non-Catholic neighbors—in honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary? This is exactly what happens on August 15th in the country of Lebanon.

In this post, you’ll learn about the powerful and unique way the Assumption of Mary is celebrated in Lebanon, where it’s not just a holy day of obligation—it’s a national holiday. We'll explore the origins of the celebration, how Lebanese Catholics mark this Marian feast with pilgrimages, prayers, and community gatherings, and what this celebration means for the global Church. You’ll also discover how Catholic families and catechists can draw inspiration from this beautiful cultural witness of faith.

What Is the Assumption of Mary?

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the truth that Mary was taken body and soul into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. While not explicitly described in Scripture, this tradition has deep roots in the early Church and was defined as dogma by Pope Pius XII in 1950 in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus.

Key Liturgical Elements

The Assumption of Mary is an important event in the liturgical year. Here are some important highlights of the event, celebrated annually around the world.

• Date: August 15
• Scripture Readings: Revelation 11:19a; 12:1–6a, 10ab; Psalm 45; 1 Corinthians 15:20–27; Luke 1:39–56
• Marian Prayers: Hail Mary, Magnificat, Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary

How Lebanon Celebrates the Assumption of Mary

In Lebanon, the Assumption of Mary is a national holiday observed not only by Maronite and Roman Catholics, but also widely respected by Eastern Orthodox, Druze, and Muslim communities, making it one of the country’s most unifying feasts.

Pilgrimages to Harissa

The most famous site of celebration is the Our Lady of Lebanon shrine in Harissa, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of pilgrims travel on foot or by car—many walking long distances—to attend vigils, outdoor rosaries, and Marian processions. The massive statue of Mary with open arms on a stone base, towering nearly 100 feet tall, becomes a beacon for prayer and national reflection.

At night, candles light up the path from the coastal city of Jounieh to Harissa, creating a breathtaking visual pilgrimage. Young people often camp out or participate in all-night adoration. Local families set up food stalls and hand out water and snacks as a form of hospitality and devotion.

Cultural Traditions

Here are some of the traditions you might expect to see during the Assumption of Mary in Lebanon.

• National Fireworks Displays: Towns across Lebanon light up the sky to honor Mary, with fireworks often choreographed to Marian hymns.
• Family Gatherings and Meals: Lebanese families host feasts with traditional dishes like tabbouleh, kibbeh, and baklava, often starting with prayer and the Magnificat.
• Rosaries and Youth Events: Parishes organize rosary walks, youth praise nights, and theatrical presentations on Mary’s life.

Assumption of Mary Passport Kit Webinar

Craft a paper lantern, pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and get your country of Lebanon stamp for your Catholic passport in this printable activity kit for Catholic kids and families.

Unity Across Religious Boundaries

The Assumption is one of the few religious holidays in Lebanon that draws reverence across religious lines. Muslim leaders often send well-wishes, and in many villages, Muslims and Druze participate in Marian processions as a sign of respect and shared cultural heritage.

What This Celebration Means for Catholics

For Catholic children, families, and catechists, Lebanon’s observance of the Assumption offers a powerful lesson: Mary brings people together. Here are some ways that you can celebrate the Assumption of Mary, inspired by this important feast in Lebanon.

For Catholic Families

Lebanese traditions can inspire families to:

• Plan a pilgrimage—even if just to a local Marian shrine.
• Host a Marian dinner, decorating the table with blue and white.
• Teach children to pray the Magnificat and Rosary, linking their faith to global expressions of Catholicism.

The Lebanese model shows how faith can be part of everyday life—expressed through public devotion, music, beauty, and hospitality.

For Catechists

In a religious education setting, this feast is a perfect opportunity to:

• Introduce geography and global Church unity with a map lesson on Lebanon.
• Create Marian-themed crafts or candlelight prayer services in class.
• Read and reflect on the Assumption readings.
• Highlight interreligious respect and teach children how Mary's virtues—especially humility and love—appeal to all people.

Why the Global Church Needs Lebanon’s Witness

Lebanon reminds us that Marian devotion isn’t just a private affair. It has the power to heal divisions, inspire joy, and spark public expressions of faith. In a country often marked by hardship, Lebanese Catholics show the world that hope endures—and Mary walks with us.

As Pope Francis said on the Feast of the Assumption in 2021, “Mary’s Assumption into Heaven shows us the ultimate destiny of our lives: to be with God, forever. And she remains close to us on the journey.” (Vatican News, 2021)

The Assumption as a Call to Rejoice and Unite

The Assumption of Mary is not just about looking upward—it’s about looking all around us. In Lebanon, the faithful look around and see neighbors becoming pilgrims, families becoming communities, and a country becoming a living prayer to the Mother of God.

As you celebrate the Assumption this year, in a classroom or at home, consider ways to make room for joy, procession, and prayer in your life. Lebanon’s rich Marian culture invites us all to look at Mary with fresh eyes—and to honor her with hearts full of faith.