Archbishop A. Elias Zaidan
Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles
St. Louis, MO
Sponsor: Rep. Darin LaHood, (R-IL)
Date of Prayer: 07/16/2019
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop Abdallah Elias
Zaidan of the Maronite Catholic faith and a valuable member of our
Lebanese American community in the United States.
Born in Ksseibe, Lebanon, Bishop Zaidan is the youngest bishop to lead the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles. As a Lebanese American myself, I am honored to have Bishop Zaidan come to Washington to open the House floor for prayer this morning.
In 1984, Bishop Zaidan professed his perpetual vows as a member of
the Congregation of the Lebanese Maronite Missionaries and was ordained a priest 2 years later. Since then, Bishop Zaidan committed his life to serving others and was recognized for that service with his appointment by Pope Francis as the third bishop of the eparchy.
I would like to commend Bishop Zaidan for his continued service in the community and as a champion for the protection of children and a missionary to those of all faiths. I am grateful for his work in the Lebanese American community, and I would like to sincerely thank him for coming this morning to bless the House in prayer.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty and loving God, we lift our hearts and minds in prayer of thanksgiving for so many blessings You bestow upon us.
We thank You for the gift of life from the womb to the tomb.
We thank You for the gift of our beloved country of the United States of America, land of opportunity and beacon of hope.
At the opening of today's meeting, we ask You to bless the Members of Congress, inspire them to seek Your guidance, to walk the way of love, to look for the well–being of every citizen. May they become instruments of peace and ministers of love in the world tormented by hatred and divisions, so that they collaborate together instead of competing against each other.
We make this prayer in Your name, for Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory