Wednesday, 13th February: the Visit to Lebanon by Father Josè M. Carballo, accompanied by the Custos Father of the Holy Land, fra Pierbattista Pizzaballa, begins.
On their arrival from Damascus, in the rain and snow, on their way to Yarze, the Custos suggests to the Minister General that they make a quick visit to the Clarissa nuns who live nearby. They are very surprised and pleased to welcome them to their convent. The Minister General recalls Francis’s interest in Clare and her nuns.
They then continue their journey to Beirut, where they arrive at around half past twelve. The Friars of the convent of St. Anthony of Harissa, with their Guardian, fra Angelico Pilla, had already arrived to welcome them together with the fraternity of Beirut. The Guardian of the convent of St. Joseph, Beirut, makes a brief welcome speech, followed by lunch in a simple and cordial atmosphere. The Guardian Father informs the Minister General of the programme for the afternoon: a visit to the centre of spirituality and a meeting with the Franciscan families.
The situation in our neighbourhood of Gemmayze is somewhat delicate: tomorrow there will be a demonstration in the nearby Cannon Square, marking the anniversary of the assassination of the Prime Minister Hariri, and the police and army are vigilant, moving all the cars parked in the area. It is because of this situation that few students will be present at the Centre.
At around five in the afternoon, as agreed, the Minister General receives in the convent sitting room the four Clarissa nuns: the new Lebanese Mother Superior, Sister Marina, the Substitute Mother Sister Jeanne d’Arc, a Korean sister and a Filippino sister.
At half past five, accompanied by Fra Halim, he then goes to visit the Centre of Franciscan spirituality. He goes into the classroom where Fra Giuseppe Costantin, Guardian of the Convent, is explaining to the few students present the admonitions of St. Francis. The Minister greets the students, gives them some words of encouragement, then takes part in a pause for recreation in the large sitting room of the Centre. The few students present are here with the Capuchin clergy, some convent seminarians with their teachers and some tertiary ladies together with our tertiary ladies. The Minister General, with alongside the Custos, sit in the centre of the semi-circle. The two Provincial Fathers are present: Fra Tanos Rizik, Capuchin, Fra Cesare Essayan Conventual, the Mother General of the Capuchin sisters of the Cross, Sister Antoinette of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary and the four Clarissa sisters.
The meeting begins with the Canticle of Brother Sun in Arabic, then Fra Giuseppe Costantin addresses words of welcome to the Father General, thanking him for his visit at a delicate and difficult time for Lebanon. He also thanks all those present. Fra Cesare briefly explains the aim and functioning of the Centre of Spirituality.
The Minister General talks to use about the preparation of the jubilee of 2009 in cooperation with the Franciscan families; the importance of training; and insists on the requirements at the beginning of the vocational itinerary. To the Clarissas, he recommends they be contemplative above all; to the other nuns that they be ferment in the world; and finally to the tertiaries to be committed lay people supported by Franciscan spirituality in the world.
Later the Mother General of the Sisters of the Cross arrives: she invites the Minister General, the Custos and the friars of the Holy Land to attend the beatification of their founder, the Servant of God, Abouna Yacoub, which is scheduled for 22nd June In Lebanon. She also invites the Minister General to visit the tomb of Abouna Yacoub. Fra Halim suggests that this will be possible the next morning, before going to visit the Latin Bishop, Mons. Boulos.
Fra Ibrahim translates for the Father General, here and throughout his brief visit to Lebanon.
The meeting ends with the song Praised be my Lord, in Italian and in Arabic (Mubarakon).
Our tertiaries offer refreshments to all present.
After dinner, the Custos, on the suggestion of Fra Ibrahim, in order to avoid alleged dangers or closed roads, decides to spend the night with the Minister General in Harissa, contrary to the programme which had been prepared in advance. Naturally we, the friars of Beirut, together with Fra Najib, stay to sleep in the House. “It was one of the quietest nights," says Fra Nagi, whose room looks on to the street, the next morning. When we leave the morning after at 8, we find all the roads open.
Thursday, 14th February: as agreed, in heavy and cold rain, we meet the Minister General at the convent of the Holy Cross of the Franciscan sisters. The Mother General, Sister Marie Makhlouf, after thanking the Father General for having accepted the invitation to visit the tomb of Abouna Yacoub, illustrates the activity of the Sisters, in particular, in the hospital field. They have the most important psychiatric hospice in the Middle East in the Holy Cross house. The Father General, addressing in particular the many very young sisters who are present at the meeting, once again speaks of the importance of training; and encourages expanding the institute ad extra, beyond Lebanon, not to remain a congregation closed in on itself. This is followed by a pause for prayer at the tomb of the Venerated Abouna Yacoub.
Still in the pouring rain, we go towards Giáita and the Apostolic Vicar Latin Bishop, formerly Latin Bishop in Iraq, before being appointed for Lebanon. Monsignor Boulos Dahdah, the former Provincial of the Carmelites, speaks Italian very well. The Father General thanks him for the support he gives to the Franciscan friars, and asks him if he has any observations to make. The bishop’s answer: The Franciscan religious personnel must not be changed too often!
We go to Bkerke (Bikorke, in our ancient chronicles) to visit the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Nosrallah Sfeir. The patriarchal see is half-way up to Sarissa, where a group of journalists and photographers are waiting for us. The Patriarch welcomes us with great kindness and cordiality. The conversation is in French. The Minister General expresses his solidarity and that of the friars to the Patriarch and to the Lebanese, ensuring him of our prayers for this tormented country.
Finally, the last visit to the Nuncio, Mons. Luigi Gatti, whose seat is next to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Harissa. Naturally the conversation is in Italian! The Minister General thanks him for the support given to the friars in the past, in the Holy Land and in Syria, when the Nuncio served the two sees. The Nuncio speaks of the political situation and the negative effects this is having on the presence of Christians in Lebanon.
We conclude our official visits around noon and, considering the vicinity of the various places, the Minister General, accompanied by Fra Ibrahim, is able to make a brief pause for prayer at the nearby sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon, before going on to the convent of St. Anthony where the Fraternity of Harissa offers us lunch beautifully prepared by Madame Baha, the cook.
At 4.00 p.m. we are all in the "diwan" of the convent for a meeting with the Minister General, who presents the following subjects: the preparation for the 8th centenary of the Rule for 2009, at the end of this journey of three years; the discernment of our personal and community vocation today; the planning of the future according to what our Lord and St. Francis requests of us and the celebration of the gift of our vocation.
He speaks to us about training, which must be demanding especially at the start of the journey and the importance of continuous training.
Lastly, he reveals to us the idea of a project with an entity comprising Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, depending on the Custody of the Holy Land. This autonomy is required due to the difficulties linked with the frontiers and distances. Internationality must always be protected. The Order will send a specialist to study this proposal together with the friars.
This was followed by an exchange of opinions on the subjects proposed, beginning with the dependent entity: the majority expressed a negative opinion, due to the very serious cultural, social and political differences. Someone even suggested forming two entities, one Lebanese and one Syrian, not to depend on Syria, in particular in this situation of difficulty between the two peoples.
The subject of continuous training was touched on, which also includes those who are defined as Under ten. Vocational promotion was also discussed as well as the need for collaboration between the two fraternities.
The meeting comes to an end with a word from the Custos who thanks, also on behalf of all the friars, the Father General and the Guardian of Beirut.
The last act of this day is a liturgical act: a concelebration of the Eucharist where we are united in prayer with the people who attend the Chapel, with the Sisters who had not been able to come to Beirut the previous evening and with some Tertiaries from the Beirut convent. Holy Mass was celebrated in French and in Latin, with the Pater sung in Arabic. The choir sang in Arabic, Italian and Latin.
The Father General expressed his joy, in simple words, as the successor of St. Francis, at celebrating the Eucharist with the Christians of Lebanon, to encourage them to be witnesses as Francis was, bringing Peace and Love despite the many difficulties of this period of ours.
After the Mass, everybody was invited for refreshments.
We, friars from Beirut, return immediately to the convent for the sake of prudence. We do not encounter any difficulties on the way: everything is quiet. Much ado about nothing.
This brings the important and historic visit of the Minister General, Father José M. Carballo, to whom we are very grateful, to a close for us,
IN PRAISE OF CHRIST. AMEN
fra Joseph Costantin ofm
On their arrival from Damascus, in the rain and snow, on their way to Yarze, the Custos suggests to the Minister General that they make a quick visit to the Clarissa nuns who live nearby. They are very surprised and pleased to welcome them to their convent. The Minister General recalls Francis’s interest in Clare and her nuns.
They then continue their journey to Beirut, where they arrive at around half past twelve. The Friars of the convent of St. Anthony of Harissa, with their Guardian, fra Angelico Pilla, had already arrived to welcome them together with the fraternity of Beirut. The Guardian of the convent of St. Joseph, Beirut, makes a brief welcome speech, followed by lunch in a simple and cordial atmosphere. The Guardian Father informs the Minister General of the programme for the afternoon: a visit to the centre of spirituality and a meeting with the Franciscan families.
The situation in our neighbourhood of Gemmayze is somewhat delicate: tomorrow there will be a demonstration in the nearby Cannon Square, marking the anniversary of the assassination of the Prime Minister Hariri, and the police and army are vigilant, moving all the cars parked in the area. It is because of this situation that few students will be present at the Centre.
At around five in the afternoon, as agreed, the Minister General receives in the convent sitting room the four Clarissa nuns: the new Lebanese Mother Superior, Sister Marina, the Substitute Mother Sister Jeanne d’Arc, a Korean sister and a Filippino sister.
At half past five, accompanied by Fra Halim, he then goes to visit the Centre of Franciscan spirituality. He goes into the classroom where Fra Giuseppe Costantin, Guardian of the Convent, is explaining to the few students present the admonitions of St. Francis. The Minister greets the students, gives them some words of encouragement, then takes part in a pause for recreation in the large sitting room of the Centre. The few students present are here with the Capuchin clergy, some convent seminarians with their teachers and some tertiary ladies together with our tertiary ladies. The Minister General, with alongside the Custos, sit in the centre of the semi-circle. The two Provincial Fathers are present: Fra Tanos Rizik, Capuchin, Fra Cesare Essayan Conventual, the Mother General of the Capuchin sisters of the Cross, Sister Antoinette of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary and the four Clarissa sisters.
The meeting begins with the Canticle of Brother Sun in Arabic, then Fra Giuseppe Costantin addresses words of welcome to the Father General, thanking him for his visit at a delicate and difficult time for Lebanon. He also thanks all those present. Fra Cesare briefly explains the aim and functioning of the Centre of Spirituality.
The Minister General talks to use about the preparation of the jubilee of 2009 in cooperation with the Franciscan families; the importance of training; and insists on the requirements at the beginning of the vocational itinerary. To the Clarissas, he recommends they be contemplative above all; to the other nuns that they be ferment in the world; and finally to the tertiaries to be committed lay people supported by Franciscan spirituality in the world.
Later the Mother General of the Sisters of the Cross arrives: she invites the Minister General, the Custos and the friars of the Holy Land to attend the beatification of their founder, the Servant of God, Abouna Yacoub, which is scheduled for 22nd June In Lebanon. She also invites the Minister General to visit the tomb of Abouna Yacoub. Fra Halim suggests that this will be possible the next morning, before going to visit the Latin Bishop, Mons. Boulos.
Fra Ibrahim translates for the Father General, here and throughout his brief visit to Lebanon.
The meeting ends with the song Praised be my Lord, in Italian and in Arabic (Mubarakon).
Our tertiaries offer refreshments to all present.
After dinner, the Custos, on the suggestion of Fra Ibrahim, in order to avoid alleged dangers or closed roads, decides to spend the night with the Minister General in Harissa, contrary to the programme which had been prepared in advance. Naturally we, the friars of Beirut, together with Fra Najib, stay to sleep in the House. “It was one of the quietest nights," says Fra Nagi, whose room looks on to the street, the next morning. When we leave the morning after at 8, we find all the roads open.
Thursday, 14th February: as agreed, in heavy and cold rain, we meet the Minister General at the convent of the Holy Cross of the Franciscan sisters. The Mother General, Sister Marie Makhlouf, after thanking the Father General for having accepted the invitation to visit the tomb of Abouna Yacoub, illustrates the activity of the Sisters, in particular, in the hospital field. They have the most important psychiatric hospice in the Middle East in the Holy Cross house. The Father General, addressing in particular the many very young sisters who are present at the meeting, once again speaks of the importance of training; and encourages expanding the institute ad extra, beyond Lebanon, not to remain a congregation closed in on itself. This is followed by a pause for prayer at the tomb of the Venerated Abouna Yacoub.
Still in the pouring rain, we go towards Giáita and the Apostolic Vicar Latin Bishop, formerly Latin Bishop in Iraq, before being appointed for Lebanon. Monsignor Boulos Dahdah, the former Provincial of the Carmelites, speaks Italian very well. The Father General thanks him for the support he gives to the Franciscan friars, and asks him if he has any observations to make. The bishop’s answer: The Franciscan religious personnel must not be changed too often!
We go to Bkerke (Bikorke, in our ancient chronicles) to visit the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Nosrallah Sfeir. The patriarchal see is half-way up to Sarissa, where a group of journalists and photographers are waiting for us. The Patriarch welcomes us with great kindness and cordiality. The conversation is in French. The Minister General expresses his solidarity and that of the friars to the Patriarch and to the Lebanese, ensuring him of our prayers for this tormented country.
Finally, the last visit to the Nuncio, Mons. Luigi Gatti, whose seat is next to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Harissa. Naturally the conversation is in Italian! The Minister General thanks him for the support given to the friars in the past, in the Holy Land and in Syria, when the Nuncio served the two sees. The Nuncio speaks of the political situation and the negative effects this is having on the presence of Christians in Lebanon.
We conclude our official visits around noon and, considering the vicinity of the various places, the Minister General, accompanied by Fra Ibrahim, is able to make a brief pause for prayer at the nearby sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon, before going on to the convent of St. Anthony where the Fraternity of Harissa offers us lunch beautifully prepared by Madame Baha, the cook.
At 4.00 p.m. we are all in the "diwan" of the convent for a meeting with the Minister General, who presents the following subjects: the preparation for the 8th centenary of the Rule for 2009, at the end of this journey of three years; the discernment of our personal and community vocation today; the planning of the future according to what our Lord and St. Francis requests of us and the celebration of the gift of our vocation.
He speaks to us about training, which must be demanding especially at the start of the journey and the importance of continuous training.
Lastly, he reveals to us the idea of a project with an entity comprising Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, depending on the Custody of the Holy Land. This autonomy is required due to the difficulties linked with the frontiers and distances. Internationality must always be protected. The Order will send a specialist to study this proposal together with the friars.
This was followed by an exchange of opinions on the subjects proposed, beginning with the dependent entity: the majority expressed a negative opinion, due to the very serious cultural, social and political differences. Someone even suggested forming two entities, one Lebanese and one Syrian, not to depend on Syria, in particular in this situation of difficulty between the two peoples.
The subject of continuous training was touched on, which also includes those who are defined as Under ten. Vocational promotion was also discussed as well as the need for collaboration between the two fraternities.
The meeting comes to an end with a word from the Custos who thanks, also on behalf of all the friars, the Father General and the Guardian of Beirut.
The last act of this day is a liturgical act: a concelebration of the Eucharist where we are united in prayer with the people who attend the Chapel, with the Sisters who had not been able to come to Beirut the previous evening and with some Tertiaries from the Beirut convent. Holy Mass was celebrated in French and in Latin, with the Pater sung in Arabic. The choir sang in Arabic, Italian and Latin.
The Father General expressed his joy, in simple words, as the successor of St. Francis, at celebrating the Eucharist with the Christians of Lebanon, to encourage them to be witnesses as Francis was, bringing Peace and Love despite the many difficulties of this period of ours.
After the Mass, everybody was invited for refreshments.
We, friars from Beirut, return immediately to the convent for the sake of prudence. We do not encounter any difficulties on the way: everything is quiet. Much ado about nothing.
This brings the important and historic visit of the Minister General, Father José M. Carballo, to whom we are very grateful, to a close for us,
IN PRAISE OF CHRIST. AMEN
fra Joseph Costantin ofm