July 14th: The Economo of the Holy Land, fra Dobromir Jazstal went to Tripoli, in Lebanon, to bless the second building of five floors, built for Christian families by the Custody. The first of which had eleven storey was blessed by the Custos of the Holy Land Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa two years ago. At 18.00 Fr. Jazstal was met by Fr. Halim Noujaim in the courtyard of the two buildings. Also present were Fr. Toufic, who initiated the project to build the apartments, when he was the Economo of Lebanon and director of the elementary school of Tripoli El Mina (Marina). From Syria Fr. Romualdo, Fr. Georges and Fr. Filippo, delegate of the Custos there, attended the ceremony as well as Fr. Ibrahim from Harissa.
The small ceremony commenced with a short prayer lead by Fr. Halim while the benediction of the apartments was conducted by the Economo of the Custody, Fr. Dobromir, who afterwards handed over the keys of five of the ten apartments built to their new owners.
The third building, not distant, is still under construction; it should be completed by December and is to house another ten Christian families. The inauguration would also reinforce the Franciscan presence in Tripoli, Marina, that had been prominent for 150 years, as was mentioned in the mass celebrated by the Custos at the benediction of the first building two years ago.
At the previous occasion a discussion took place with Ms. Ibtisam, Secretary of the Terra Santa School regarding the idea start a Franciscan Tertiary group as had been requested by some persons following the Feats of St. Anthony on the 13th of June last year. The group will be installed next autumn, with the beginning of the scholastic year. The formation of the Tertiary will be dedicated to St. Francis, patron of the church and St. Anthony, to whom the Christian population are very devout. In this way the Custody continues to serve the local population, traditionally in the spirit of St. Francis, who came to the East and maybe to Lebanon as well to announce the Good News.
Fr. Joseph Constantin ofm
The small ceremony commenced with a short prayer lead by Fr. Halim while the benediction of the apartments was conducted by the Economo of the Custody, Fr. Dobromir, who afterwards handed over the keys of five of the ten apartments built to their new owners.
The third building, not distant, is still under construction; it should be completed by December and is to house another ten Christian families. The inauguration would also reinforce the Franciscan presence in Tripoli, Marina, that had been prominent for 150 years, as was mentioned in the mass celebrated by the Custos at the benediction of the first building two years ago.
At the previous occasion a discussion took place with Ms. Ibtisam, Secretary of the Terra Santa School regarding the idea start a Franciscan Tertiary group as had been requested by some persons following the Feats of St. Anthony on the 13th of June last year. The group will be installed next autumn, with the beginning of the scholastic year. The formation of the Tertiary will be dedicated to St. Francis, patron of the church and St. Anthony, to whom the Christian population are very devout. In this way the Custody continues to serve the local population, traditionally in the spirit of St. Francis, who came to the East and maybe to Lebanon as well to announce the Good News.
Fr. Joseph Constantin ofm