Chorbishop Donald J. Sawyer, founder and pastor of Our Lady’s Maronite Catholic Parish in Austin, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on April 27. He was ordained a Maronite priest at St. Mary Cathedral.

The Maronite Church is one of the Eastern Antiochian Churches in full communion with the pope and has been Catholic for 2,000 years. The Church of Antioch was heavily semitic and kept more Jewish customs that were incorporated into their worship and liturgy.

Chorbishop Sawyer served the Diocese of Austin from 1974 until 1981, when he became a full-time Maronite priest serving the Maronite Community in Austin at the request of Archbishop Frances Zayek. He currently serves as the vicar of priests for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles and the director of the Office of Vocations.