Patriarch of the Maronite Church, Cardinal Mar Bechara Pierre Raï, presided over a celebratory mass at the St. Rafka Shrine in Maad Park, dedicated to peace in Lebanon, commemorating the memory that St. Rafka holds for the townspeople. This annual tribute was organized by the Maad Development Association, with the assistance of the Archbishop of Jbeil, Bishop Michel Aoun, and Bishops Munir Khairallah, Paul Sfeir, and Youssef Soueif, along with the parish priest Father Edmond Khashan, the head of the Maad Monastery of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Father Ni'ma Ni'ma, and a group of priests and fathers, supported by the "Ahbab" choir led by Marsal Badawi, in cooperation with the parish choir and featuring artist Tony Hanna.
Attending the mass were Minister of Tourism in the caretaker government Walid Nassar, representing President Michel Aoun, Minister of Industry George Bouchikian, Manal Ni'ma representing Minister of Social Affairs in the caretaker government Dr. Hector Hajjar, Deputy Simon Abi Ramia representing "The Free Patriotic Movement" leader Deputy Gebran Bassil, Deputy Ziad Hawat representing "The Lebanese Forces" leader Samir Geagea, Deputies: Farid Haykal al-Khazen, Nada Boustani, Raed Barou and Selim Saigh, Ambassador Gaby Aissa, General Director of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Authority Engineer Jean Gibran, General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture Louis Lakhoud, acting Qaza Jbeil Governor Nathalie Mrei Khoury, and the head of the Maronites for Lebanon association, lawyer Paul Kanaan.
Also present were the head of the Maronite League Dr. Khalil Karam, Mayor of Ghalboun Engineer Eli Jebrail, Head of the Ghalboun District Mukhtar Michel Gibran, Mukhtar of the town Tony al-Hajj, Head of the Martyrs, Casualties and Prisoners Department in the Lebanese Forces Party Charbel Abi Akl, and Coordinator of Jbeil Qaza Hadi Merhej, as well as heads of municipalities and mukhtars, the head of the Jbeil Red Cross center Randa Kallab, head of the Maad Development Association Jean Claude Sorour and its members, dignitaries, and a crowd of townspeople and villagers.
At the beginning of the mass, the association presented communion cups to the patriarch, who blessed them. Mila Sorour Khair delivered a welcoming speech for the patriarch, who gave a sermon after the Gospel, stating: "We need to hear the word of God in these difficult days we are living. The Lord Jesus calls us in the Gospel to seek the essential thing, which he names the only requirement, which is to find time to retreat with Him and hear His word, as Mary did, for by hearing His word we gain enlightenment and align our thoughts, actions, and conduct. We especially need to hear His word in these difficult days and circumstances we live, whether sweet or bitter; we need to hear Him as He speaks to every person because He is the Word. This is the only requirement that Mary chose as her greatest portion."
He spoke about the stages of St. Rafka's life, who loved the people of Maad, reminding them that as she lay in pain during her final hours, she told one of the town's daughters to say hello to the people of Maad. Since then, the townsfolk have known that St. Rafka bears peace for them and intercedes for them.
He emphasized that "today, amidst the difficulties we face, we need to hear the Lord's word to live the true light."
He noted that "if we have difficulties in Lebanon and can no longer communicate nor live with elements of distrust, caution, and fear of one another, we need to hear God's word, which alone enlightens, guides, consoles us, and opens paths before us."
He added: "We pray for Lebanon, for His Excellency the President and his aides, that we hear God's word, for we cannot remain in this state of chaos in life and social relations, this state of obstruction, as if our main goal has become to obstruct everything."
He asked, "What is this greatness and ability to stop and obstruct everything? In whose interest is this obstruction? Is it in the interest of Lebanon, the state, or the people?" He indicated that St. Rafka tells us today "no," and also tells us that life is in its giving, its value lies in dedication and love in the heart of man, and in constructive words."
He urged the representative of the President to convey his greetings and the bishops' greetings to the head of state, and to assure him that "we support him with our prayers so that he may continue the journey and end his term properly for the good of Lebanon and its people amidst the difficult matters we live, and that we all rise above all problems."
At the conclusion of the mass, everyone proceeded to DOMAINE SAINT GABRIEL, where a dinner was held in honor of the patriarch. He and Ministers Nassar and Bouchikian toured the premises and became acquainted with the modern equipment there and the production exported annually abroad. The project's owner, Gaby Jebrail, delivered a speech welcoming the attendees, noting that "St. Rafka gathers tonight the towns of Ghalboun and Maad in her peace, imploring her blessings."
He added: "For those who give glory to Lebanon, raising high the banner of partnership and love for all the people of Lebanon, we say: With your arrival, divine grace has arrived, and may the blessing of the Holy Spirit accompany you as you are the faithful shepherd proclaiming peace and love; you have our utmost appreciation, and your blessed visit is the motivation for us to launch this project."
He stated: "The message of the patriarch is the message among us, and today, with the sustainable development project thanks to the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Foundation, we announce the good news of bringing water to the land of Ghalboun from the artesian well at a depth of 425 meters, which we urgently need for such a project."
On another note, Patriarch Raï affirmed that "we in Lebanon need political stability, and this is what the Lebanese people dispersed around the world demand from us, especially since we have been hearing in our tours abroad from officials in those countries that the Lebanese are a creative and innovative people," pointing out that "this people needs political stability in their homeland to return, rise, and unveil their potential on Lebanese soil."
He called on all politicians "to work together to create this stability," emphasizing that "the main and ultimate duty of political work is to create stability so that the people can realize themselves and their talents."
He concluded by asking God through the intercession of St. Rafka, to "protect Lebanon and its people so they may live in peace and tranquility."
