Maronites in Brazil

The world's largest Lebanese diaspora · Approximately 493,000 Maronite faithful

A Community of Millions

Brazil is home to the largest Lebanese diaspora in the world, with an estimated 7 to 10 million people of Lebanese descent. Within this vast community, approximately 65% identify as Catholic, predominantly of the Maronite rite. According to the 2015 Annuario Pontificio, there are approximately 493,000 Maronite Catholics in Brazil, making it one of the largest Maronite communities outside Lebanon.

History of Migration

The story of the Maronites in Brazil begins in the late 19th century. Between 1884 and 1933, approximately 130,000 Lebanese people entered Brazil through the Port of Santos. Of these early immigrants, about 65% were Christians — primarily Maronite and Melkite Catholics — with 20% Eastern Orthodox and 10% Muslim.

Several factors drove this migration. The collapse of the silk trade in Mount Lebanon created economic hardship. Political instability under Ottoman rule made life increasingly difficult. The devastating conflict between Maronites and Druze in Mount Lebanon in 1860, which killed thousands, was a major push factor. Later, the famine during World War I, which killed an estimated one-third to one-half of the Lebanese population, accelerated emigration further.

A second wave of migration came during the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), when approximately 32,000 Lebanese immigrants joined the well-established communities in Brazil and across Latin America.

Economic and Political Influence

The earliest Lebanese arrivals often began as itinerant peddlers, traveling through rural Brazil selling textiles and household goods. This humble beginning laid the foundation for influential commercial networks. Many families expanded into manufacturing, banking, and industry, becoming prominent figures in Brazilian business.

Despite comprising less than 4% of Brazil's population, descendants of Lebanese immigrants occupied approximately 10% of parliamentary seats in 2014, a testament to the community's political integration and influence. Lebanese Brazilians have served as governors, senators, and in other prominent positions.

Religious Life

The spiritual life of Brazil's Maronite community is served by the Eparchy (Diocese) of Our Lady of Lebanon in São Paulo, which encompasses approximately 468,000 faithful across multiple parishes. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon in São Paulo serves as the community's spiritual center.

In the diaspora, the Maronite liturgy has adapted to local culture: Portuguese has largely replaced Arabic in the celebration of the Qurbono (Mass), though Syriac prayers and chants are preserved. Maronite parishes serve not only as places of worship but as community centers where Lebanese culture, traditions, and values are passed to new generations.

Cultural Legacy

The influence of the Lebanese Maronite community extends deeply into Brazilian culture. The Hospital Sírio-Libanês (Syrian-Lebanese Hospital), founded in 1931 by the Syrian-Lebanese community in São Paulo, is today one of Brazil's premier medical institutions. Lebanese cuisine, particularly dishes like kibbeh, has become part of the wider Brazilian culinary landscape.

Cultural organizations, social clubs, and educational institutions founded by the Maronite community continue to thrive, preserving the connection between the Brazilian diaspora and their Lebanese roots.