A delegation from the Caritas Lebanon and the Maronite League visited the town of Rmeich, which included Caritas President Father Michel Abboud, Vice president Nicolas Hajjjar, Treasurer Nadim Nader, Executive Director Gilbert Zouein, Regional Coordinator Father Roland Murad, and the General Coordinator of the Youth Department Peter Mahfouz. They were accompanied by the Regional President of the Carmelite Order in Lebanon, Father Abdo Abdo, Father Tony Bou Assaf, and the President of the Maronite League, Ambassador Khalil Karam, at the head of a delegation.
The delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Rmeish, Milad Al-Am, the President of the Caritas Branch in Bint Jbeil, Tanyous Madi, and the regional supervisor Father Fadi Felfeli, along with parish priests Najiib Al-‘Ameel, Tony Elias, and Jouhar Tanyous.
The tour began with a festive Mass held for the people of the town in the parish church, presided over by Father Abboud and assisted by the participating priests.
“We came today as the Caritas family to celebrate together the Feast of the Greeting of the Virgin Mary, a unique feast in our Maronite tradition, which expresses our veneration and gratitude to our Heavenly Mother. The Feast of Greeting, whether at Christmas or Easter, carries within it a call to contemplate God’s great work through Mary, to whom the angel addressed the miraculous annunciation, making her an example of faith and obedience. She did not ask how, but simply said: I am the handmaiden of the Lord” said Father Abboud.
He pointed out that “this same faith led her to service, as she hurried to Elizabeth, carrying with her the peace of God, which reverberated with joy even in Elizabeth’s womb.”
He added: “The Virgin Mary, filled with the Holy Spirit, was not only the bearer of the incarnate Word but also a witness of peace and love in her service and her life. Her life teaches us that a believer in God is not kept away from difficulties, but rather, faith gives them the strength to face them. From this perspective, we at Caritas believe that we are one body with the Church. We suffer with those who suffer and rejoice with those who rejoice. Wherever there is suffering, we are there as witnesses of hope and love, carrying the message of Christ risen from the dead.”
To the people of Rmeish, he said: “In your beloved town of Rmeish, we find a living example of resilience and faith. You, the children of this land, are like a flame that lights the way for others. From here we say that the candle does not see its own light, and the spring does not drink from its own water, but others see and drink.”
In conclusion, Father Abboud thanked God, praying that the Lord bless this town and its people, and that peace and love remain the motto of their daily lives.
After the Mass, the delegation held a meeting with the people of Rmeish, in the presence of the Mayor of Ain Ebel, Imad Al-Lous, emphasizing the importance of joint work for the service of the community in the region.
The meeting concluded with an invitation from the regional president to a luncheon at his home.