The Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon (also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Harissa) is the largest Marian shrine in the Middle East and a Christian pilgrimage site located in the Harissa region of Lebanon. The Shrine is nestled among pine forests overlooking the Bay of Jounieh.

Maronite Patriarch Elias Howayek decided to establish a religious monument and began building the shrine. Committees were formed to raise funds, and the generosity of the Lebanese quickly became apparent. The landowner, Francis Yaacoub Younes, agreed to sell the land to the Patriarch for 50 Ottoman liras. Construction began but was halted, notably because master builders feared the chosen site would not support the structure.

In 1906, Patriarch Howayek and the new apostolic nuncio, Msgr. Giannini, decided to resume work with modifications to the project. To complete the construction, the Patriarch signed a contract with a skilled master builder, Ibrahim Makhlouf from Ain al-Rihane. The shrine and the statue’s pedestal were completed in 1907.

The inauguration

To erect a statue of such size and type, an imperial decree approving the project from the Ottoman authorities was required. The governor of Mount Lebanon, Mouzafar Pasha, sent a telegram to Istanbul requesting authorization. Astonishingly — considered by some a miracle — approval arrived only five hours later.

By early 1908, the shrine and the pedestal were completed under the supervision of Father Choukrallah El-Khoury. Shortly thereafter, the statue of the Virgin was installed, and the inauguration took place on May 3rd, 1908, at 10 a.m.

Msgr. Giannini presided over the inauguration ceremony, accompanied by prayers and blessings. Afterward, Patriarch Howayek celebrated Mass, assisted by numerous bishops, religious superiors, representatives of Eastern and Western congregations, and many priests. At the end of the Mass, a solemn procession was held with the icon of the Virgin. It was then that the Patriarch declared the first Sunday of May to be the annual Feast of Our Lady of Lebanon.

A religious sanctuary

The Virgin Mary holds a revered and central place in all Christian churches and in the hearts of the faithful. Acknowledging this truth, the monastic community of the shrine seeks to nurture spiritual and pastoral cooperation with all dioceses, religious orders, and parishes in Lebanon. The shrine also strengthens its ties with sister churches and diverse Christian communities.

The administration of the shrine ensures that apostolic movements in the Church find a welcoming space for their activities, helping them fulfill their missions. It also promotes volunteer service as a religious value among the faithful. Through these efforts, the shrine aims to deepen the spiritual life of believers and contribute to the salvation of souls.

A national symbol

The Virgin Mary holds an elevated status in both Christianity and Islam and is therefore honored by all Lebanese. It is natural for the shrine’s administrators to seek to bring Lebanese people closer together through this shared devotion.
In this context, the Shrine hosts Christian–Muslim dialogue meetings aimed at strengthening the values of accepting others in their differences and fostering coexistence.