In a climate of faith and hope, on July 4,  2025 in the courtyard of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Monastery in Isfiya,  the Holy Land, two anniversaries were celebrated, namely the 15^th anniversary of the founding of the Marian Movement and the 40^th anniversary of the apparitions of Medjugorje. The founder, Charbel Maroun, originally from this village, created the Movement when he was just 20 years old.

Charbel Maroun, founder of the Marian Movement, says, “My visit to Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the prolonged apparitions of the Virgin take place, deeply touched my heart. I never imagined that 15 years later, I would find such a rebirth within the movement. Today, many young people knock at our door, eager to join a Christian prayer group that lives the Gospel here in the Holy Land.”

He added, “If you are looking for a living, committed Christian community, and you’re afraid of feeling alone, come here: you will be welcomed by a house and a monastery called the “House of Divine Mercy,” and by a community called the Marian Movement. In a time when, in many Christian communities, more and more young people are marrying later, in the Marian Movement exactly the opposite is happening.” He continued, “There are 16 couples of young people who got married within the community, generally about three years after joining.”

Monsignor William Shomali, Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jerusalem, who presided at the celebration in the presence of numerous bishops, priests, and a crowd of faithful, said: “The message of the Virgin Mary is the same as that of Her Son; She teaches us the very same things. In every apparition, she reminds us: ‘If you do not convert, you will all perish.” In his homily, the Patriarchal Vicar added: “Saint Matthew was a young man, just over 20, searching for his future, convinced that money was the key to success. For this reason, he chose to become a tax collector—a figure at the time associated with injustice, greed, and the exploitation of the poor. Yet, Jesus looked at him, loved him, and chose him. This call teaches us that God’s criteria are not those of men. Jesus recognized in him an inner restlessness and the desire for a true life. In the same way, He sees in each of us the potential to become saints.”

He continued, “Prayer is as essential as breathing, which is why we tell young people to pray. It’s not an imposition, but an invitation for their own good. In the Marian Movement, young people rediscover themselves and bring the Christian message into society, under the protection of the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.”

During the Mass, seven new members joined the Movement, eager to become disciples of Christ and witnesses of His Gospel in a world that often denies its values.

Tamer Samara said, “I met the one who is now my wife when she joined the movement, during the gatherings. I never imagined that a love story could be born between us.” While Ruba Jarjoura Samara, wife of Tamer, said: “I feel that prayer unites us deeply. We pray the Rosary together almost every day, and on Sundays we go to church. Now we are expecting a baby, and we will accompany him on his journey of faith.”

At the end of the celebration, the statue of the Virgin was welcomed with hymns, songs, and applause.