Patriarch Rai: Educational Institutions in Villages Are a Guarantee for Future Generations

Continuing his pastoral visits to monasteries and schools in the Jbeil patriarchal vicariate, Cardinal Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai toured the Monastery of Saint Elijah of the Marian Fathers in Bsharri and the School of Our Lady of the Antonines in Chosroun, combining concern for the religious and spiritual presence in the region with emphasis on the importance of educational institutions in stabilizing village youth and planting hope in the hearts of new generations.

Patriarch Rai was accompanied on his tour by the patriarchal vicar of Jbeil and Zgharta, Bishop Joseph Naffah; the patriarchal administrator in Dimane, Monsignor Tony Agha; the general secretary of the Maronite Patriarchate, Father Fadi Tabet; and the private secretary, Father Camille Mkhail.

The first stop was the Monastery of Saint Elijah of the Marian Fathers in Bsharri, where the monastery’s superior, Father Joseph Mousa, welcomed Patriarch Rai and his entourage. After visiting the church, a meeting was held discussing the monastery’s current state, its spiritual and pastoral mission, and the importance of maintaining a permanent religious presence there and in the associated convent.

Fr. Mousa briefed the Patriarch on monastic life and the activities taking place at the monastery, stressing that "Saint Elijah is not merely a monastic residence but a center of spiritual attraction and radiance visited by believers and tourists alike, requiring a capable religious community able to uphold its mission, welcome visitors, and preserve its monastic heritage."

He also presented the works accomplished during his tenure, ranging from land cultivation and production of thyme, wine, rose and mulberry products, and local preserves, to the establishment of a space for memorabilia and monastery-made goods.

From Bsharri, Patriarch Rai proceeded to the School of Our Lady of the Antonines in Chosroun, where he was greeted by the monks, led by Father Rouad Kaddou, Father Raymond Hashem, abbot of the Monastery of Our Lady of Salvation in Tripoli–Mina, and Father Antoine Semaan, along with students and both teaching and administrative staff.

The Patriarch addressed the church dedicated to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus as the hymn "In Your Welcome, O King of Glory" echoed through the sanctuary, where prayers were offered and the Patriarch bestowed his blessing upon those present.

In a welcoming speech, Father Kaddou affirmed that "the school is not merely a place for transmitting knowledge, but a home of communion and love, a workshop for shaping humanity," emphasizing that "true education builds the human being within the human being, planting faith, values of love, giving, and attachment to one’s homeland in the younger generation."

In his address, Patriarch Rai praised the Antonine Order and the educational family for sustaining the school’s mission despite hardships and sacrifices, stating that "Our Lady’s School represents a center of hope for the people of the region," and that "rural educational institutions are not just buildings, but guarantees for the future of generations and their presence in their own land."

He stressed that "one cannot tell young people that the school has closed its doors, because the door to the future must never be shut in their faces," affirming that "one of the greatest things we can do is planting hope in the hearts of youth and helping them discover their potential and build their future."

He said: "The future is built on school benches—students begin in school by sketching their dreams, discovering their vocation, and envisioning who they wish to become in life, from which point they launch into self-realization and service to their community and country."

Patriarch Rai concluded by thanking Father Kaddou, the Antonine Order, and the educational community for the sacrifices they make to preserve the school and its mission, reaffirming that "opening its doors each morning to its children is itself an opening of the door to hope and the future."

The visit ended with Patriarch Rai walking among rows of students gathered to greet him, followed by commemorative photographs.