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Christian, Muslim young people spread pre-Christmas cheer in Beirut

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By Doreen Abi Raad • Catholic News Service • Posted December 10, 2018

BEIRUT (CNS) — On a gloomy, rainy Saturday morning in Beirut, 92-year-old Julia enthusiastically greeted her visitors, Christian and Muslim youth, who had come to set up a Christmas tree in her modest apartment.

“Welcome. I love you,” she said to her guests, who each greeted the beaming woman with kisses before breaking out in a chorus of “Jingle Bells.”

Julia, a Maronite Catholic, was one of 10 beneficiaries Dec. 8 of a Christmas tree decoration project for poor elderly that brought together Lebanese volunteers from the Knights of Malta, a Catholic organization, and “Who is Hussein,” a Muslim Shiite organization, as well as Girl Guides associated with the local St. Vincent de Paul.

Widowed for 40 years, Julia had spent her life as a homemaker. She lives with her 66-year-old unmarried son, Nicholas, who has difficulty finding work in his trade as a house painter.

There are no government-sponsored services for the needy in Lebanon. Julia is one of the beneficiaries of the Knights of Malta Lebanon’s Elderly Guardianship Program, in which the order’s youth volunteers visit the homes of elderly on a monthly basis.

And on this day, Julia was gleefully basking in the royal treatment, seated near her street-level balcony window, as her visitors enthusiastically demonstrated teamwork: assembling the tree, untangling and attaching lights and hanging brilliantly colored ornaments, singing “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”

“Jesus Christ called us to bring joy to people, to help make their lives better,” 17-year-old Girl Guide Lea Chalhoub told Catholic News Service as she decorated Julia’s tree. “Lebanon is a country of Muslims and Christians living together, and so we need to work hand-in-hand to build a better society.”

“Jesus wants us to help people, especially at Christmas,” added Thea Rizkallah, age 8.

Switching to entertainment mode, some from the group danced to Christmas tunes streamed from a phone. Clapping and singing along, soon Julia could hardly contain herself, joining them for a little jig, her cane held out horizontally like a vaudeville star.

“My legs and arms are not so strong anymore,” Julia apologized, resuming her dance in a seated position, tapping her cane to the beat.

Then, choosing a shade from a mish-mash of items stored in a container beside her, Julia asked to have her nails painted. Malta volunteer Zahraa Omeiry applied the festive maroon color like a caress to each finger, as the singing continued. A neighbor, passing by on the street with groceries, stopped at the balcony window to peer in on the festivities, asking, “Is it your wedding day?” as Julia proudly showed off her nails.

Among Julia’s visitors, Zahraa and her cousin, Nour Omeiry, Shiite Muslims, recently joined the Malta group at Beirut’s Jesuit-run St. Joseph University, where they are both studying political science.

“It’s so important to help the less fortunate, to make people smile,” Nour Omeiry told Catholic News Service.

“We are all human and we have to live together,” she said of Muslim-Christian coexistence. “It’s great to bond with each other and to share something we all like to do,” she added. Like many Muslims in Lebanon, her family always observes Christmas with a small tree and a family dinner.

With a manger placed under its boughs, Julia’s tree was illuminated to great cheers, and together the young and old sang “Feliz Navidad.”

“Thanks be to God. You are better than gold,” Julia told her visitors.

Nicholas, who had quietly kept to himself on the balcony to allow his mother to solely relish in the attention, told CNS: “I’m so thankful that God has blessed us with this visit. I feel at peace when I see my mom so happy,” he added, his eyes filled with emotion.

The Knights of Malta manages a network of 30 different operations throughout Lebanon, including community health centers, mobile medical units and day care centers for the elderly.

The Lebanese chapter of “Who is Hussein” sponsors activities such as taking flowers to hospitals for the sick and poor and distributing food during the season of Ramadan and its “10 days of kindness” outreach during the feast of Ashura.

Young people from both groups also have collaborated by serving elderly poor the Iftar feast during Ramadan.

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World day of the poor, 18 November 2018

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“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him”

The Order of Malta is responding to the invitation of Pope Francis to actively participate in this second World Day of the Poor. The cry of the poor man is he who may be poor in spirit or in body. The Order has answered this cry for help from the destitute throughout its history. It inspires the Order’s thousands of members and volunteers.

All over the world we offer social and medical aid to the disadvantaged and the desperate on the six continents, support victims of natural disasters, give comfort to those who are poor in spirit. In the 120 countries where we work, our efforts continue unabated to serve those in need.

In Lebanon, the Order manages a network of 30 different operations through which it assists and supports, all over the Lebanese territory, those whom life did not favour, with love and dignity all the while respecting their differences, implementing humanitarian programs in cooperation with all the religious communities, thus becoming, by means of its actions, an instrument of love, peace and coexistence.

Today is no different from any other day – except that the associations of the Order of Malta around the world unite with His Holiness himself, in prayer and action, to mark the need for a combined effort to reduce poverty.

Together, let us raise awareness on the shocking percentage of the world’s population who live below the poverty line, in the hope that we will, and we must, continue to make a difference.

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Chabrouh “The House of Love”

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As the sun sets over the Chabrouh centre during those lovely autumn days, the daunting dwelling and its lovely courtyard stand proud and warm whilst heartfelt emotions stroll through its walls. This year, the Chabrouh project celebrated two decades of uncompromising support and dedication from Lebanese and international volunteers to their guests; those much in need of sincere love as they suffer from disabilities, cerebral palsy, down-syndrome, autism or epilepsy are accordingly often marginalised and forgotten.
Chabrouh has been labelled “The house of Love” as one can only feel overwhelming emotions on its grounds. It truly teaches you to love and be loved. But it is also the house of celebrations as such sincere sentiments transpire through the cheers, laughter and dancing vibes moving an astonishingly vibrant crowd. As you look closely, you’ll witness cheerful young people caring gently for the center’s guests. And as you take a closer look, you’ll see incapacitated guest transported with joy as they walk around those sunny gardens without a care in the world. If this isn’t proof that the power of love transcends pain, suffering and loneliness, then what does?

Delving into the origins of the Chabrouh camps help understand the spirit of this project brought to life by a young German volunteer that visited Lebanon in 1997. Touched by the severity of mental and physical disability cases witnessed throughout his journey, he understood the relevance of love, care and chose to restore dignity to those set aside by society. A few years later, following in his footsteps, young Lebanese volunteers deeply moved by their German counterpart’s grand gesture, dove fully into this ambitious project setting in motion 26 one week camps yearly.

As the camps gain momentum and international recognition, the Chabrouh building transformed into a state-of-the art facility started enjoying the growing support and contribution of the international youth of the Order of Malta, gathering 8 nationalities and 14 leading delegations. Czech, Swiss, German, French, Italian, English, Dutch and Spanish camps alternate throughout the year as young volunteers eagerly await their journey to the land of Cedars.
The vision of the project relies on the foundation of a one-on-one relationship built between a volunteer and a guest, whereby a fundamentally unique bond carried through the warmth of the human touch, care and sincere love for the other materializes. Home for more than 900 volunteers from all over the world gathered to elevate the pain of over 600 Lebanese disabled guest yearly, the Chabrouh camps became to all an educational bridge for the strengthening of faith, self-confidence, tolerance and respect towards others. It is truly a spiritual and life-changing experience for volunteers returning back to their respective countries with poignant memories.

As time goes by, the center continues to grow both in size and in relevance. Initially led by the Youth of the Order of Malta Lebanon, the center became today a multigenerational and multinational beacon as it gathers in camps parents, children and friends from across the world. It also reunites Knights and Dames in the spirit of continuous service and action through the Order. An unprecedented spirit emanates from those camps as German, Dutch and English Knights, Dames and Caravan volunteers stroll along the facility holding the hands of our Lords the sick or pushing their wheelchairs across the ramps. Those travellers have chosen to dedicate through the camps a full week of their lives to come specifically to Lebanon to pamper our disabled guests much in need of love, attention and human touch. Even the “Mamas” – over 65 years old – travelling from their respective countries, join the camps to offer traditional cooking to our guests. The relationship established between those international travellers and the center’s guests proves to be of such emotional and spiritual weight to both. Camps are so lively, filled with fun activities, music and laughter. The veteran Dutch & British camp completes this year’s round of attending delegations at Chabrouh. What started with a couple of random volunteers back in 2011, grew to become today a full-fledged camp from both countries. Since 2012, they come back each year to infuse joy, show commitment and care to our Lords the sick, to expose them to new experiences and new outings.

Franz. 65 years old, is attending for the second consecutive year the Knights & Dames camp. “At 1st, I had heard about Chabrouh through my son and daughter as they both enrolled in the camps several times in the past. They came home transported with happiness and emotions. I thought to myself, this sounds absolutely fascinating, I have to get the same experience. I’ve been here for 5 days with my guest Charbel and I already know that I will be coming back again next year”.

Camilla, 59 years old, is a 1st timer at Chabrouh. “I’ve heard about the camps through friends who had been here a couple of years back. My son also came to Chabrouh and I can tell you that this experience really turned his life around. As both my son and husband suffer from disabilities, Chabrouh doesn’t strike me personally as a new experience. However, I wanted to be part of the Chabrouh community, pray and share the power of faith with others as well as communicate love and support to others in need. It is a great honour to be here”.

Johanna, 38 years old, has been coming to Chabrouh for the past 13 years. “I prefer spending my vacation here instead of travelling to other destinations. Both my daughters and husband have been accompanying me for the past years. It is such a rewarding experience for the entire family”.

Charbel, a 26 years old men suffering from physical and mental disabilities told me once “Chabrouh is my home; I feel loved and safe here”.
Those touching words carry the essence of this project and will empower its perpetuation in time.

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The new Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon celebrated a mass at Chabrouh Center at the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

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On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Order of Malta Chabrouh project, the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, H.E. Msgr. Joseph Spitery, celebrated a beautiful mass in the centers courtyard.

Beloved guests with disabilities, joint Lebanese, Swiss and German volunteers, Chaplains and members of the Lebanese association gathered to pray under the spiritual guidance of H.E. Msgr. Joseph Spitery accompanied by Msgr. Yvan Santus, Fr. Raymond Bou Assi, Director of the Center, Fr. Joseph Nassar, Director of Hotel Dieu Hospital and Fr. Khalil Rahme leading the enchanting choir composed of young Caravan volunteers.

Spiteris homily stated that opening ourselves to others can free us from our weaknesses. He insisted that we grow while attending to each others needs and that the Lords love is not translated through words, sentiments or the will to help, but the actions done to support each other. He added that serving others is done through the partnership, support and care offered, and this is exactly what is witnessed here in Chabrouh through the actions of those young volunteers.

Finally, he concluded with: We need to dream of a better world and find the courage to bring those dreams to life.

Reaching its 20 years anniversary, Chabrouh center certainly became the house that teaches us the true meaning of love. It continues its growth path as it supports and cares for over 600 disabled guests on yearly basis.

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Elizabeth Sombart

Music at the heart of the cycle of life

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Following the 1st round of piano concerts offered back in April 2018, the Order of Malta Lebanon through its partnership with the Resonnance Foundation and supported by Societe General de Banque au Liban, pursued its beautiful journey across the sounds of music.

Between August 29 and September 4, Elizabeth Sombart and Fabrice Eulry joined hands to offer seven piano concerts that illuminated the hearts and souls of youngsters, adults, elders whether healthy, disabled, sick or recovering.

Fabrice Eulry, international composer and piano artist, offered with tremendous generosity exhilarating jazz and blues rhythms to Oum El Nours recovering addicts, to the youth of Beb el Tebbene and Jabal Mohsen reunited by the initiative of March at Kahwetna Caf in Tripoli; to the community of Khaldieh and its surroundings with a concert organized by the Order of Malta Community Health Center in Khaldieh and finally to the disabled at the Order of Malta Chabrouh camp at the occasion of its 20th anniversary. Each performance was unique as he deeply connected with the audiences and transported all into the light.

Elizabeth Sombart played the remaining concerts gracefully embarking all on a spiritual voyage.

The sounds of Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven stemming from under our beautiful cedar in the Order of Malta camp in Kfardebian Center healed first our disabled guests. They travelled then to comfort children enduring cancer treatments at the St. Jude Children Cancer Center and reached in the end elders suffering from Alzheimers disease to sooth their minds at Minerva Day Care Center for Alzheimers.

Quoting the President of the Order of Malta Lebanon Love brings people together and it does not discriminate between gender, religion or skin color. We cannot rebuild Lebanon unless we learn to reunite as one beating heart.

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LES JEUNES AVEC LE GROUPE ARNABEAT

The Youth of the Order of Malta held their annual fundraising event

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Inspired by Love and Hope, “Something Beautiful is on the Horizon”, was the theme of the fundraising event of the Youth of the Order of Malta, held at Bar National on August 2nd, 2018 to support their social and humanitarian activities, where more than 400 guests gathered to spend an unforgettable evening.
During her speech, Nour Moghabghab, the Youth President, emphasized the hard work, passion and dedication of the young volunteers, who for the past 12 years have succeeded in applying the mission of the Order of Malta in Lebanon, inspired by Pasteur “I ask you not about your race, your color nor your religion, but what is your sufferance”, through their humanitarian projects dedicated to the disadvantaged children, elderly and disabled people.
It is thanks to the continuous support of all the guests, relatives and friends that they have been able to grow and expand their activities. Nour also thanked all those who generously contributed to making the evening a huge success, among them the main sponsors, Saradar Bank and Bemo Bank.
The President of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, Marwan Sehnaoui was of course present to offer his unconditional support to these young volunteers who represent the future and ensure the sustainability of the Order of Malta in Lebanon.
Hosted by John Saad, the evening began smoothly with the friendly “Swinging Sisters”, was filled with emotions during the short film screening of the Youth achievements for the year 2017 and finally got everyone on the dance floor with the amazing band “Arnabeat”.
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The Order of Malta Lebanon celebrates the feast of Saint John the Baptist

The Order of Malta Lebanon celebrates the feast of Saint John the Baptist

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The Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Lebanon and the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta celebrated the feast of St John the Baptist, Patron of the Order, during a Holy Mass presided by Msgr Cesar Essayan, bishop of the Latin Apostolic Vicariate of Beirut, in the presence of the new Papal Nuncio to Lebanon, H.E.Mgr. Joseph Spiteri at the beautiful Saint Louis Cathedral in Down Town Beirut.

The Holy Mass was attended by H.E.Mr. Nicolas Tueini representing the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Michel Aoun, H.E.Mr. Michel Moussa, representing the President of the Chamber Nabih Berry and H.E.Mr. Daoud Sayegh, representing Prime Minister Hariri.

Bishops and representatives of all religious denominations also participated in the feast, including representatives of the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, the Druze Spiritual leader as well as representatives of partner Islamic foundations.

Current and previous ministers, members of parliament, ambassadors and diplomatic advisors as well as the Order of Maltas centers management and staff, head of partner religious congregations, representatives of the Lebanese Army and Security Forces, and all the members of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta were also present.

In his homily, Monsignor Essayan praised the works of the Order of Malta whose primary concern is to preserve the dignity of every suffering person regardless of their race, color or religion.

 

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Pope Francis receives the Grand Master in Audience

Pope Francis receives the Grand Master in Audience: Go ahead with courage, you express spirituality through your works

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Pope Francis received the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, in audience today in the Vatican. During the meeting, the Grand Master illustrated the Order of Maltas main activities in the humanitarian and diplomatic sectors last year.These included the commitment to assist the thousands of refugees fleeing from wars and poverty along the Mediterranean Sea routes, and the search and rescue activities the Order of Maltas Italian Relief Corps has been carrying out since 2008 on board the Italian authorities vessels. The Order also provides healthcare in the regions bordering Syria, such as Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon, where a hospital and ten health centres guarantee medical treatment to displaced persons. Not to mention the projects in sub-saharan Africa where forgotten wars are being waged.

Assistance to children was a central theme of the meeting, carried out in atmosphere of great courtesy. The pope wanted to learn about developments in the Orders projects in the Middle East and the Grand Master updated him on the work of the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem that, besides accepting premature or severely ill babies, recorded some 4 thousand births in 2017.

Pope Francis urged the Order of Malta to go ahead with courage in its assistance activities, a testimony to the spirituality that animates its over 130,000 members, volunteers and operators in the service of the poor, the sick, the elderly and the marginalised in 120 countries.

Another topic discussed during the conversation with the pontiff was the reform of the Order of Maltas Constitutional Charter, launched in 2017 with the aim of giving the Order a structure of rules that will enable it to face not only the present but also the future in a rapidly changing world.

The Grand Master Fra Giacomo Dalla Torre gave His Holiness a silver medal coined for the World Day of the Poor, established by the pontiff last November, and which the Orders associations have supported with numerous health and social initiatives in many countries. At the end of the meeting the Grand Master, accompanied by the Orders Sovereign Council, was received by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

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Malte Liban

The Order of Maltas 60th Pilgrimage to Lourdes

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Like every year at the beginning of May, Lourdes has received the Order of Maltas international pilgrimage.

Among the over 7,500 participants coming from 45 countries worldwide were 1,500 sick and disabled pilgrims looked after by some 250 priests and 380 doctors and nurses.

This year was a special pilgrimage for many reasons. Lourdes is celebrating the 160th anniversary of the apparitions in 2018, coinciding with the Order of Maltas 60th international pilgrimage. This was also the first official engagement of Fra Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto, elected as head of the Order on 2nd May last.

Also participating in the pilgrimage was the Special Delegate of His Holiness, Msgr. Angelo Becciu, who presided over the pontifical mass on Sunday 6th May in the crowded Basilica of St. Pius X.

Addressing the pilgrimage participants, the Grand Master said that it is precisely here in Lourdes that the greatest witness is born to Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum and it is most intensely expressed. Let us reflect on what a miracle is. It might not be only recovery from a serious illness or from a disability, but might also be a grace given to all pilgrims who come here. The miracle of serenity in loving the Virgin, the miracle of unconditional goodness towards others, the miracle of tolerance, the miracle of the acceptance of our own difficulties.

The miracle of making us feel part of the same great spiritual family. An extraordinary family called Order of Malta. All this helps us to understand that the miracle of Lourdes is accessible to all of us here. You just have to open your hearts.

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Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto elected 80th Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta

Fra Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto elected 80th Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta

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Fra Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto has been elected the 80thGrand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta. The electing body, theCouncil Complete of State, the electoral body counting 54 members, met in the Magistral Villa, one of the Order of Maltas two institutional seats, in Rome.

Elected head of the Order of Malta on 29 April 2017, FraGiacomo Dalla Torre is now elected for life as Grand Master.

Pope Francis has been informed by letter of the election result. All the Order of Maltas Grand Priories, Subpriories and National Associations around the world have been informed, as well as its diplomatic missions and those of the 107 countries with which the Order maintains diplomatic relations.

The newly elected Grand Master will swear his oath before the Popes Special Delegate to the Sovereign Order of Malta, Archbishop Angelo Becciu, and the members of the Council Complete of State tomorrow morning in the Church of Santa Maria in Aventino.

The new Grand Master will be responsible for continuing the reform of the Constitution of the Order of Malta started in 2017, to adapt it to the development that the Order has experienced in recent decades. Currently present in 120 countries around the world with over 2,000 projects in the medical-social field, the Order of Malta has more than 120,000 volunteers and medical staff. The Constitutional Charter and the Code were promulgated in 1961 and partly reformed in 1997.

The first official engagement of the Grand Masterwill be to preside over the 60thOrder of Malta International Pilgrimage to Lourdes, which will take place from 5 to 8 May. Every year, over 7,000 members and volunteers from all over the world take part in the pilgrimage. Their number includes1,600 sick and disabled pilgrims. The pilgrimage to Lourdes represents one of the most significant moments in the spiritual life of the Orders members and volunteers.

The Grand Master
According to the Orders Constitution the Grand Master is the sovereign and religious head of the Order. Elected for life, he must fully dedicate himself to the development of the works of the Order and set an example of living by Christian principles to its members. He is vested with supreme authorities. Together with the Sovereign Council, the Grand Master issues the legislative measures not covered by the Constitution, promulgates government acts and ratifies international agreements. The States with which the Order has diplomatic relations recognise the Grand Master with the prerogatives, immunities and honours reserved for Heads of State.
The Grand Master resides at the Orders seat of government, the Magistral Palace in Rome.

Profile of Fra Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto

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