Rai celebrates Saint Charbel in Jbeil region

18 July 2011

BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai led a mass celebrating Saint Charbel Sunday and voiced hope that Lebanese would learn from the saint’s great deeds and have a life of courage in the face of difficulties.

During the Sunday mass at the Annaya St. Charbel Monastery in Jbeil, Rai also said that the nation needs Saint Charbel in “its path toward safety.”

A 19th century Catholic monk, Saint Charbel was born in the northern Lebanese town of Bqaa Kafra and was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1965 for several of his miracles in Lebanon.

Saint Charbel was also canonized by the Vatican in 1977, and Lebanese throughout the world celebrate his life during the third week of July.

The ceremony was attended by high ranking Lebanese Christian officials, including President Michel Sleiman, first lady Wafaa Sleiman and the ambassador of the Vatican to Beirut, Gabriel Caccia.

Addressing Sleiman, Rai prayed the president’s religious beliefs would help him in his “dangerous mission” as the country’s leader.

Rai also said that Sleiman’s presence at the ceremony is a proof of the president’s attachment to the tradition that he had first started at the beginning of his term of attending the mass each year.

“It truly gives us joy to see President Michel Sleiman taking part in this mass on the third Sunday of July,” the patriarch said.

Rai, who became patriarch earlier this year, congratulated the Maronite League on the occasion of Saint Charbel’s day. “We entrust our nation to protect him and all other saints, so that Lebanon will remain a beacon for sainthood and the dignity of humans,” Rai added.

A week after he moved to his summer residence in Diman, Rai kicked off a weekend religious tour in Jbeil.

On Sunday, Rai inaugurated the new church hall at the Saint Estefan Church, which was donated by Joseph Sfeir.