Around Since 1964

The National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM) is the official lay apostolate of the Maronite Church of the USA. The only lay apostolate of its kind in the Maronite World, it was established in 1964 and is governed by a volunteer board of directors, has official membership from all over the country, and maintains a national office in in Canfield, OH.

NAM was established before the presence of a Maronite Bishop or diocese in the USA. In fact it was begun to help unify and organize the Maronite faithful in order to petition Rome for a Maronite Bishop. Since 1966, NAM has served the then Diocese of St. Maron and now serves both our Maronite Eparchies and our Eparchial bishops. It sponsors various programs of service to the Maronite Church, such as religious education, youth ministry, scholarship, vocations, retreats, and annual and regional conventions.

NAM Unites and Preserves

NAM serves as a uniting “umbrella” for the Maronites spread all over the country from Waterville, ME to San Diego, CA and from Miami, FL to Portland, OR. It is especially significant as a uniting organization in lieu of two separate eparchies; NAM is a link or a “bridge” uniting all Maronites across the USA. NAM helps to preserve the beautiful and rich traditions of the Syriac Antiochene Maronite Church handed on to us by St. Maron and his descendants. Through its many programs of service to the Maronite Church, the apostolate helps nurture interest in our spiritual, cultural and ethnic roots. For many, NAM’s most important events are its national and regional conventions, where the Maronite Faithful are gathered along with our bishops and clergy for spiritual renewal, educational growth and social and ethnic fellowship.

Our Mission

Assisting its bishops, serving as a link in unifying Maronite laity in the U.S., and strengthening the bond between clergy and laity. NAM helps preserve Syriac-Maronite traditions by promoting the rich Maronite heritage and by fostering pride in the Maronite Church.