Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries

The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries (known also as Kreimist or Krayme) was founded at the monastery of Kreim - Ghosta

Ghosta

Ghosta situation ...The municipality is located at a distance of about 36 km from the capital Beirut. It lies at an altitude of 950 meters sea level and covers an area of 461 hectares , the population is abut 3500 almost all of them are maronite christians- location :At a distance of...

(Mountain of Lebanon), in the year 1865. This formation was the result of the relentless efforts of Father John Habib (later Archbishop

Archbishop

An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...

) and numerous dedicated priests. The founding fathers wanted the members of the Congregation to walk the way towards perfection, to work for the spiritual welfare of others, to preach the Gospel, to warn, guide, counsel, and educate for the Glory of God

God

God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....

. The Congregation with patriarchal jurisdiction enjoys special consideration from the Patriarch and Bishop

Bishop

A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...

s. The Congregation numbers at this time: 2 Bishops, 100 Priest

Priest

A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...

s, 14 Seminarians, 7 Novices. More up to date figures can be found on the official website

Goals

The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries grew and according to the founders' notes "the people started coming to see the missionaries seeking assistance, counseling and listening to their talks and guidance. Then the priests went all over Lebanon preaching and hearing confessions... and the people loved them and respected their way". This Congregation takes part in all kinds of missionary work, because "We are in need of mission's project", as Father Stephan Kozah, one of the founders of the Congregation and its first Superior General, repeated many times. Archbishop John Habib's wish when he addressed the first members, constitutes a good summary of the Congregation's goals: "The best thing for me that I see you before my death spread as Jesus' disciples around the world and the east, proclaiming the Good News, tolerating the need, persecution, and death out of love for the One who shed His blood for us" (Hebrews 11:26). So, the Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries is a community working to announce the gospel anywhere, in the east or the west, without hesitation or delay.

Principals

The formation of the Congregation is founded on a solid education including human, spiritual, and practical elements. The most important centers of the Congregation are the ones which take care of the preparation of the future missionaries. Their religious, educational, missionary and priestly formation prepare them to be "sheep among wolves" in the midst of the world seeking the repentance of sinners and the commitment of the believers.

Missionary locations and work

The Congregation of Maronite Lebanese Missionaries exists today in Lebanon and around the world where the Maronites are present. Current mission locations include:

In Lebanon

- Monastery of Kreim - Ghosta, the Mother House.

- Monastery of Deliverance in Mayrouba.

- Convent of John the Apostle, Jounieh.

- Operate National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, since 1908.
- Apostles College in Jounieh

Jounieh

Jounieh is a Mediterranean coastal city about 16 kilometers north of Beirut, Lebanon. Jounieh is known for its seaside resorts, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as its old stone souk, ferry, and cablecar , which takes passengers up the mountain to the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in...

- School from Elementary to High School grades.

- Maronite Orphanage and Cadmus College in Tyre - School from Elementary to High School grades.

- Seminary of St. John The Beloved.

In addition, there is an orphanage

Orphanage

An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...

and school

School

A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...

under construction in Edde

Edde

Edde Village is located 45 km North of Beirut, Lebanon. It rises to an altitude of 210 meters of sea level and covers an area of 398 acres...

, Batroun

Batroun

The coastal city of Batroun located in northern Lebanon is one of the oldest cities of the world. Batroun is home to a Lebanese Red Cross First Aid Center.- Etymology :...

. There is a printing press

Printing press

A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...

used for the liturgical and religious publications among them those of the Patriarch and others. Amongst these is the publication of "Al Manarat" ("The Lighthouse"), which is a magazine discussing religious topics in depth. There is an associated radio station called "The Voice of Charity" which began broadcasting in 1984. A particular tradition is that on of the Congregation fathers gives an annual retreat for the Patriarch and Bishops.

Abroad

- Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...

, Argentina

Argentina

Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...

: The mission was established in 1901 and it includes a parish, a school, a printing press and the publishing of their own journal in Arabic and Spanish.

- In 1931 a mission was set up in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...

, Brazil

Brazil

Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

and it includes a Parish and Pastoral Center.

- In 1931 a mission, the Parish and Pastoral Center, was also set up in Johannesburg

Johannesburg

Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...

, South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

and in 1991 another church was founded in response to the growing community.

- 12 priests are helping in the missionary work in the U.S.A.

- In 1993, a mission started in Sydney

Sydney

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

where the priests help in the pastoral work of the Eparchy and in the "Voice of Charity".

All of these places become a second home for the Maronites, as well as for the Lebanese in general. These centers are a place to renew their Christian beliefs and their Lebanese traditions and heritage.

External links

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