Before he left for the Custody’s Intermediate Chapter (Bethlehem 4-13 June), Brother Toufic, the guardian of Beirut, proposed that Brother Giuseppe Incelli and I go to Tripoli to celebrate the Feast of Saint Anthony on Sunday, June 10.
With the agreement of Ms. Ibtisam Ghanem, director of the school, we set out for Tripoli Marina on the afternoon of the feast day. Because of the situation at Nahr el Bared in the north, there was very little traffic. The city was quiet. When we arrived at the convent there were few people, but their numbers would increase. A little later Brother Ibrahim Sabbagh arrived, the only one from Harissa. Due to the tense situation, the postulants did not come.
Brother Ibrahim and I, a guest of the Beirut convent, prepared the Mass while the faithful recited the prayers of the Saint Anthony novena. We assigned the readings, prepared the gifts and, along with the ladies who animate the liturgy, we chose the songs. Little by little the faithful filled not only the church, but also the schoolyard.
The celebration was marked by fervor and solemnity. Abuna Ibrahim proclaimed the Gospel and then preached a brief homely, describing the person of Saint Anthony and invoking his protection for Lebanon. I interpreted the faithful’s desire that the Custody send friars to the Tripoli convent as had been promised.
After Mass, bread was blessed and distributed, along with a holy picture of Saint Anthony.
Because of the situation – we heard mortar fire during Mass – Brother Giuseppe Incelli and I did not stay long in Tripoli. We went home that afternoon, arriving without problems.
Brother Joseph Costantin ofm
With the agreement of Ms. Ibtisam Ghanem, director of the school, we set out for Tripoli Marina on the afternoon of the feast day. Because of the situation at Nahr el Bared in the north, there was very little traffic. The city was quiet. When we arrived at the convent there were few people, but their numbers would increase. A little later Brother Ibrahim Sabbagh arrived, the only one from Harissa. Due to the tense situation, the postulants did not come.
Brother Ibrahim and I, a guest of the Beirut convent, prepared the Mass while the faithful recited the prayers of the Saint Anthony novena. We assigned the readings, prepared the gifts and, along with the ladies who animate the liturgy, we chose the songs. Little by little the faithful filled not only the church, but also the schoolyard.
The celebration was marked by fervor and solemnity. Abuna Ibrahim proclaimed the Gospel and then preached a brief homely, describing the person of Saint Anthony and invoking his protection for Lebanon. I interpreted the faithful’s desire that the Custody send friars to the Tripoli convent as had been promised.
After Mass, bread was blessed and distributed, along with a holy picture of Saint Anthony.
Because of the situation – we heard mortar fire during Mass – Brother Giuseppe Incelli and I did not stay long in Tripoli. We went home that afternoon, arriving without problems.
Brother Joseph Costantin ofm