On Saturday, February 16, 2019, friars and sisters of the nine Franciscan families of Lebanon gathered together for a day of spiritual retreat. This took place within the context of our shared yearly calendar and in preparation for Lent. The retreat was held at the Poor Clares’ Unity monastery in Yarze, Lebanon.

More than fifty-five friars and sisters, along with various young people in formation, met around the theme of fraternal life.
The participating friars from our Conventual family were Friars Roger KOUYOUMDJI, Iosif Florin PETRILA, Felician TAMAŞ and Khalil EL-KHOURY.
It was a time of prayer and Eucharistic adoration. Friar Mikhael MEGHAMES, OFM Cap., gave a beautiful and truthful lecture about fraternal life within our Franciscan spirituality. The day included a lively Mass and a packed lunch with sandwiches and drinks.
As Brother Francis wrote in his Testament (Test 14): “the Lord gave me brothers”. Thus, may initiatives such as this rekindle in us the fire to follow the Lord Jesus, according to the example and life of the Poverello, in our various fraternities in Lebanon.

Friar Roger KOUYOUMDJI,
Vicar Custos of the Provincial Custody of the Orient and the Holy Land