By Collin Nunis
MELKITE priest Venerable Bechara Abou-Mourad BSO is expected to be beatified between July and September in Rome.
Venerable Bechara is the second Melkite Catholic to be beatified; the first being Blessed Mariam Baouardy, a Carmelite nun who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1983.
Archimandrite Paul Abdallah Sayegh, BSO made the announcement as he presided over a special Divine Liturgy (Mass) on 27 March at the Melkite Catholic Parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Mount Lawley.
Archimandrite Paul, who is the Protosyncellus (Vicar-General) of the Melkite Catholic Eparchy (diocese) of Australia and New Zealand, made the visit on behalf of Bishop Issam John Darwish BSO (Basilian Salvatorian Order, a monastic Order of priests), who was unable to attend. Archimandrite Paul celebrated the Liturgy at the invitation of the parish priest, Fr Sam Drouby.
The sung Divine Liturgy commemorated the feast days of Our Lady of the Annunciation (25 March) and the Veneration of the Holy Cross of the Lord, which falls on the third Sunday of Lent in the Byzantine liturgical calendar.
Celebrating the Liturgy with Archimandrite Paul was parish priest Fr Sam Drouby, assisted by Deacon Pierre Nahas. Also participating at the Divine Liturgy at the invitation of Fr Sam were members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, who served as altar servers for the day.
According to the head of the Western Australian chapter, Lieutenant Robert Peters, the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre have been involved with the Melkite Catholic community since its establishment. Lieutenant Peters also added that it was Archbishop Barry Hickey who requested that the Knights and Ladies attend the yearly festal liturgical celebrations at the Melkite community.
In his homily, which was preached in both English and Arabic, Archimandrite Paul stated that the “yes” of Mary marked the beginning of salvation and the revelation of the mystery that was planned since eternity.
He also spoke about the Cross as an inspiration of support and hope for our Lenten journey in preparation for Easter.
Archimandrite Paul also delivered a pastoral message from Bishop Issam, where he sent wishes of peace to the faithful and exhorted them and those present to keep the faith “once delivered to the saints”.
He also delivered his warm wishes to the ladies’ group of the parish, aptly dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation.
Archimandrite Paul also announced the availability of DVD copies on a movie of Venerable Bechara’s life and ministry, entitled Siraj El-Wadi (Lamp of the Valley).
The movie was produced by the Basilian Salvatorian Order, the monastic Order that both Venerable Beshara and Archimandrite Paul are from.
After Holy Communion, a procession of the Holy Cross took place within the church. Leading the procession were the Knights and Ladies, followed by the clergy; carrying the Book of Gospels and a tray holding a Cross strewn with flowers and three candles.
A veneration of the Cross took place after the final blessing, with each attendee at the Liturgy receiving antidoron (blessed bread that is not consecrated for the Eucharist) and flowers from the Holy Cross. A fellowship celebrating Middle Eastern hospitality followed shortly after in the parish hall.
For more information on the movie Lamp (or light) of the Valley or Venerable Bechara Abou-Mourad, please contact the parish for more details by phoning 9345 0517 or email ourladyoftheannunciation@hotmail.com.