BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Father Dominique Hanna, rector of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn’s Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral, will be ordained a monsignor on Feb. 12. The honor comes from the Order of Periodeut — an order of the Eastern Churches including Maronite, Syrian, and Orthodox.
While the Roman Catholic Church restricts the awarding of the honorary title of monsignor to clergy 65 and older, there is no similar age restriction in the Eastern Catholic Church. Further, the title of monsignor is granted by the patriarch as a functionary title, rather than an honorary one, as is given by the pope.
Father Hanna attended Catholic schools in Lebanon and entered the seminary in 1999, completing his theological and philosophical studies in Lebanon before coming to the United States in 2002. Shortly thereafter, he entered the Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary in Washington, D.C., and was ordained a priest in 2007.
He served as an assistant pastor in Boston for two years and was then assigned as a pastor in Atlanta from 2009 to 2018.
Father Hanna met Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn in 2004. They have worked together at Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral in Brooklyn Heights since 2018, when Father Hanna became the cathedral’s rector.
Bishop Mansour requested to Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al Rai that Father Hanna be given the title of monsignor — a request that was accepted. Bishop Mansour will preside over the ordination.
“Father Dominique is a very good priest, and he has served Our Lady of Lebanon Cathedral very well,” Bishop Mansour said. “Now is the right time for him to become a monsignor.”
Being ordained to the Periodeut, Bishop Mansour explained, essentially allows Father Hanna to represent the bishop in various functions. For example, he can take the bishop’s staff, visit different parishes in the name of the bishop, consecrate baptismal fonts, resolve difficulties in the diocese, and “serve as an older brother to his brother priests, which Father Dominique does very well,” Bishop Mansour added.
“My motto in the priesthood was the ‘zeal for your house will consume me,’ explained Father Hanna. “This is from John, quoting Psalm 69, and is something I hold to. The Church consumes me, and I’m really seeing the missionary aspect of it, especially for us priests who left their families, their friends, their environment, and just came to the U.S. to serve the Maronites, the Catholics, and the Christians in the regions where they are.”
Our Lady of Lebanon parishioner Mike Naber said Father Hanna is a dear friend.
“We are so happy that he has been elevated and received his new title. It’s very well deserved,” Naber said. “He is a priest who is dedicated to his vocation and is very well known for his extreme humbleness and how well he interacts with his parishioners. He’s always there for everyone.”
Marie Aflak, who owns the Mid-East Bakery in Bay Ridge with her husband Tony and is a parishioner at Our Lady of Lebanon, has known Father Hanna since he first arrived. She said that she is thrilled by his ordination.
“[Father Hanna] is a very humble man. He’s very kind, loving, and does everything he has to do to bring the community together,” Aflak said.
John Abi-Habib, also a parishioner, said the honor is well deserved.
“This honor … brings great joy to all of us who have experienced his faithful service firsthand,” Abi-Habib said. “His kindness, humility, and genuine care for his parishioners make a difference in people’s lives every single day.”