Archbishop Youssef Massoud

ARCHBISHOP YOUSSEF MASSOUD MASSOUD, Age 84; beloved son of the late Israel and Saada; loving brother of Adel (deceased), Dalal (deceased), Amin (deceased), Youssef, Bahia (deceased), Harb (deceased), Amira, Martha (deceased), Halim and Naim (deceased); dearest uncle and great uncle of many.

Born in Kafroun, Syria, on April 28, 1940. His parents are Israel and Saada Massoud. He and his ten siblings were raised in an atmosphere of piety and prayer. His family called him “Father Massoud” since he was seven years old because of his piety and love of virtue. He would leave his parents’ home at night to go and pray alone on the mountain of Our Lady

He was twelve years old when Bishop Francis Ayoub visited Kafroun and took him with him to Lebanon to join the Maronite seminary in Ghazir. He spent his early years of formation there, then continued his studies at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. He was ordained a priest by the late Bishop Youssef Salameh in Kafroun on August 2, 1970, and was appointed pastor of Homs where he built the church of Saint Sharbel

Father Massoud was known for his closeness to his parishioners who called him “Father of the Poor.” He never cared for worldly matters and distributed everything he had in his pocket to the parishioners, paying attention to all their needs and supporting those facing hardships

His priestly life was adorned with virtues. A man of dialogue, he was known for his closeness to all people regardless of their religions and sects.

He continued his postgraduate studies in canon law in Rome, and then returned to Homs, where he remained until the Synod of Bishops elected him Archbishop of the Maronite Archdiocese of Lattakia. He was consecrated in Bkerke on September 8, 2001 by His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, his co-consecrators being Bishop Roland Abou Jaoude and Bishop Youhanna Fouad El Hajj, and he took for himself the name “Youssef” (Joseph).

Bishop Youssef watched over his diocese and cared for all his children. He rejoiced with those who rejoiced and wept with those who wept, taking the initiative to visit everyone without discrimination. He cared for the priests of his diocese and their families and set a good example for them. Among the priests of the archdiocese are those who chose the consecrated life because they were influenced by his good example and wanted to follow his footsteps.

After his retirement in 2011, he moved to the United States of America and spent his last years in unceasing prayer. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 17, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Maron Church.

Family and friends received at St. Maron Church, 1245 Carnegie Ave., Wednesday August 21, 2024 from 3-7 p.m. Funeral Mass St. Maron Church Thursday August 22, 2024 at 11 a.m. Entombment St. John Paul II Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery.