Saint Charbel Parish, Ottawa presents
Around the Virgin Mary
August 12–16, 2026 · Wednesday through Sunday
245 Donald Street · Ottawa, Ontario
Free admission all week
Family · Fun · Forever #32VMG
Wednesday evening through Sunday night, with Saturday morning activities.
Daily Rosary, Holy Mass, processions, Eucharistic Adoration and Sunday’s outdoor Mass.
Live music, dance, Lebanese cuisine, competitions and family activities all week.
Service from two nearby pickup locations every 15 minutes during published hours.
The complete published religious and public program. Events are shown exactly as listed by the parish; activities without a printed time are clearly marked.
August 12, 2026
Grounds open 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Rosary
Holy Mass
Presided by H.E. Bishop Paul-Marwan Tabet
Procession to the stage
Holy Mass
Presided by H.E. Bishop Paul-Marwan Tabet
Dance Performance by Fersan El-Adra
Official Opening Ceremony
Featuring Aces Parade
Act by Maria Kahale
Entertainment by El-Mazaj Band
Live Performance by Danny Abdo
Live Performance by Chadi Naddaf
Closing
August 13, 2026
Grounds open 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Rosary
Holy Mass
Procession of the Eucharist “Zie7 al Qorban” to the stage
Holy Mass
Live Performance by Cue Studios School
Musical Acts Performance by Zaffet Al Levant
Live Performance by El-Mazaj Band
Live Performance by Nidal
Live Performance by Jad Rahme
Closing
August 14, 2026
Grounds open 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Rosary
Holy Mass
Procession to the stage
Holy Mass
Dance Performance by Fersan El-Adra
Live Performance by Anthony Chalhoub
Live Performance by Mireille Nohra
Live Performance by Andre Ibrahim
Closing
August 15, 2026
Grounds open 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Rosary
Holy Mass
“Masira El Mariamieh” to the stage
Lebanese Breakfast
Pickleball tournament
Hardini Centre Gym
Backgammon and Card 400
Entertainment by Interlace Group Events & DJ Naz
Holy Mass
Atiab & Achha Tabouleh Competition on stage
Live Performance by Miray Dahab
Live Performance by Humam Fadel
On-stage Dabke Competition
Cash prizes to be won
Live Performance by Wissam Amar
Closing
August 16, 2026
Grounds open 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Rosary
Outdoor Holy Mass in Saint Rafqa’s Garden
Presided by Monsignor Henri Imad; Renewal of consecration of our Parish to the Blessed Virgin Mary. No Mass will be held in Gatineau.
Procession from the stage to the church
“Jil el Enjil” on stage
Candlelight procession from the church to the stage
Holy Mass in Saint Rafqa’s Garden
Presided by Monsignor Henri Imad, followed by a procession to the church
Volleyball tournament — Ottawa vs Montreal
Hardini Centre Gym
Outdoor Movie: The Passion of Bernadette
Jil el Enjil on stage
Dance Performance by Fersan El-Adra
Talent Show: Performance by Cue Studios School
Live performance by DJ Rob
Longest Markouk Labneh Sandwich Challenge
Dance Performance by Zaffet Al Levant
Live Performance by Edy Bendaly
Live Performance by Ghada Derbas
On-stage Dabke Competition
Cash prizes to be won
Live Performance by Roger Helou
Big Raffle draw
Closing Ceremony
Music by Saint Charbel Choir & Danny Abdo
Admission is free. Lebanese cuisine, live music, souvenirs and religious items are available throughout the gathering.
5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
A five-day midway rides voucher is available for $100 until August 11. Daily ride passes are $40. Height restrictions may apply.
Delicious Lebanese cuisine is served all week. Live Lebanese music is brought to you by El-Mazaj Band and Aces Parade. Souvenirs and religious items are available for purchase throughout the gathering.
Every 15 minutes from Saints Peter and Paul Melkite Catholic Church and Ottawa Technical Secondary School to Saint Charbel Parish.
Sunday, August 16 at 10:00 p.m.
Only 10,000 tickets are available: 5 for $20 or 1 for $4.
Purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win cash and more incredible prizes. No online purchase link was included in the published event information.
City of Ottawa License #M877913
Must be 18 years or older to participate in the lottery event.
Donated by Danny Baroud, Chico Pizza
Donated by Eddy Khoury Mortgages
Donated by Saint Charbel Parish, Ottawa
Donated by Saint Charbel Parish, Ottawa
Donated by Frangian Family of Pharmacies
Donated by Saint Charbel Parish, Ottawa
Donated by Akke Jewelry
Donated by Akke Jewelry
Donated by Khalil Dagher, Dow Honda
The 2026 emblem commemorates 32 years of the Annual Family Gathering, known as VMG. Since 1994, the parish community has gathered with Christ in its heart and devotion to the Virgin Mary, committed to leading with peace and love.
The gathering’s 2026 icon is rooted in the Maronite heritage of Saydet Ilige and the Monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouk.
Saydet Ilige once housed the oldest Maronite icon in Lebanon. The icon, now at the Monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouk, bears three stars symbolizing the sign of the Cross: one on Mary’s head, one on her shoulder, and the third represented by Jesus in her arms.
The olive branches are a universal symbol of peace and of reconciliation between God and humankind, recalling the dove that returned to Noah’s ark after the Flood.
The circular shape symbolizes eternity and everlasting devotion to the Virgin Mary. Repeated three times, it also represents the sign of the Cross and the Holy Trinity.
“O Mother of God, most powerful intercessor, pour out upon us, your children redeemed by the Blood of your beloved Son—our God, Redeemer, and Savior, Jesus Christ—the abundant rain of the divine graces that the Eternal Father granted you even before you were conceived in your mother’s womb. May we honor you as children ought to honor their mother, who shared in their redemption, so that we may obtain the inheritance of God’s children and an everlasting, glorious portion with the Apostles, the Fathers, and the Prophets. Then, together, we shall sing your praises, crying out: Alleluia! Amen.”
“My God, Your will. O Mary, Queen of the mountains and the seas, Queen of our beloved Lebanon, whose glory you have received and which you chose to be your symbol. O Virgin, whose purity rivals the snow of Lebanon, whose fragrance is like the perfume of Lebanon’s flowers, and who rises in majesty like the cedars of Lebanon. We ask you to look upon all your children with your motherly gaze, to stretch out your holy hands over them, and to bless them. Amen.”
The Annual Family Gathering is possible because of the generosity of these community partners and the many volunteers who give their time throughout the week.
Voted #1 Shawarma Place in Ottawa
gabrielpizza.com · 310-7777
Michael Nehme, Lawyer · 613-829-7171
Cash for metal and recycling
Robert Hanna · 1 Gamelin St · 819-771-3561
Marlon Oneid · 613-880-3501 / 613-882-3501
30 boul. Gréber, Gatineau
REALTOR® · Royal LePage Integrity Realty · 613-290-0099
1170 Old Innes Rd · 613-747-0807
2174 Johnston Road · info@dewaanfoundation.ca
613-860-5466 · 1-888-916-5466
167 De Roquebrune, Gatineau · 819-568-3994
613-745-3377
69 Beechwood Ave · 613-747-0811
Official shuttle partner · 819-561-1512
His Excellency Bishop Paul-Marwan Tabet, Monsignor Henri Imad, Father Nicolas El-Kada, Father Kamal Ghanem, the Deacons, the 32 VMG Organizing Committee, and the Parish Council of Saint Charbel Parish, Ottawa, extend their heartfelt gratitude to every volunteer, sponsor, and supporter.
God bless you and your families.