From 9th to 13th November 2009, ten friars of the Custody who serve in the convents in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, met in the Maison de Charité for their annual spiritual retreat of five days.
It was the first time that this rendezvous was held outside a Franciscan structure and the experience was positive, because far from all daily engagements, we were able to dedicate ourselves to prayer with greater tranquillity.
We also learned about the Maison de Charité; the father who is in charge of the House told us the history of this institution which now has, starting from the parent house in France, 75 houses throughout the world. With the help of volunteers and friends, they offer an atmosphere of serenity and welcome to everyone who seeks a retreat for prayer and meditation. They are greatly loved by the neighbouring villagers, who take part in great numbers in the processions they organize. We also took part in a fraternal banquet and shared our respective experiences with the Maronite Nuns, who were also on a retreat in the same House, together with their Superior General. On Tuesday 10th November, we went on a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of St. Sharbel Makhlouf, where the guardian father of the Sanctuary gave us a guided tour. Here, we celebrated a Mass on the Tomb of the Saint.
The ten friars taking part in the retreat meditated on the subject: Priesthood as a means of sanctification, which was given by the priest Carlos de Melo, who was formerly in the service of the Custody of the Holy Land and is now a member of the Ain Karem community.
Meeting like this gave us an opportunity to wish a speedy recovery and successful parish and social work to Fr. Ibrahim Younes, after a long stay in hospital.
On the afternoon of 13th November, everybody left - spiritually enriched and rested - for their service: in Jordan, Syria and in the convents of Lebanon. We wish everyone a successful resumption of their daily work and that they continue with joy on the path of sanctification.
Fr. Hanna Jallouf ofm
It was the first time that this rendezvous was held outside a Franciscan structure and the experience was positive, because far from all daily engagements, we were able to dedicate ourselves to prayer with greater tranquillity.
We also learned about the Maison de Charité; the father who is in charge of the House told us the history of this institution which now has, starting from the parent house in France, 75 houses throughout the world. With the help of volunteers and friends, they offer an atmosphere of serenity and welcome to everyone who seeks a retreat for prayer and meditation. They are greatly loved by the neighbouring villagers, who take part in great numbers in the processions they organize. We also took part in a fraternal banquet and shared our respective experiences with the Maronite Nuns, who were also on a retreat in the same House, together with their Superior General. On Tuesday 10th November, we went on a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of St. Sharbel Makhlouf, where the guardian father of the Sanctuary gave us a guided tour. Here, we celebrated a Mass on the Tomb of the Saint.
The ten friars taking part in the retreat meditated on the subject: Priesthood as a means of sanctification, which was given by the priest Carlos de Melo, who was formerly in the service of the Custody of the Holy Land and is now a member of the Ain Karem community.
Meeting like this gave us an opportunity to wish a speedy recovery and successful parish and social work to Fr. Ibrahim Younes, after a long stay in hospital.
On the afternoon of 13th November, everybody left - spiritually enriched and rested - for their service: in Jordan, Syria and in the convents of Lebanon. We wish everyone a successful resumption of their daily work and that they continue with joy on the path of sanctification.
Fr. Hanna Jallouf ofm