A delegation from Caritas Lebanon and the Maronite League visited the town of Rmeich. The group included Caritas President Father Michel Abboud, Vice President Nicolas Al Hajjar, Treasurer Nadim Nader, Executive Director Gilbert Zouein, Regional Coordinator Father Roland Murad, and Youth Department Coordinator Peter Mahfouz. They were joined by Father Abdo Abdo, the Regional President of the Carmelite Order in Lebanon, Father Tony Bou Assaf, and Ambassador Khalil Karam, President of the Maronite League, at the head of a delegation.
The delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Rmeich, Milad Al-Am, the President of the Caritas Sector 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 visit began with a festive Mass held 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. This Feast, 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, is also a witness of peace and love in her service and her life. Her life teaches us that a believer 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 Rmeich, he said: “In your beloved town of Rmeich, 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 Rmeich, 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.