This week, CNEWA’s chair Cardinal Timothy Dolan is making a pastoral visit to Lebanon, accompanied by other bishops and CNEWA staffers from the United States, Canada and the Middle East. He described his upcoming trip last week in his newspaper column:
Remember me, please, as this week I visit Lebanon, a country beautiful naturally and spiritually, a country unique in the tortured Middle East for its religious pluralism, peace — fragile though it may be — and amity among creeds.
We know of their deep spiritual roots because we cherish our Maronite, Melkite, Armenian and Syrian Catholics who live as neighbors with us, and who call Lebanon their country of origin.
As Archbishop of New York, I chair a superb organization called the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), which, for 90 years has generously assisted the ancient Christian minorities, especially in the Middle East.
Lebanon has heroically welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees from the horrors in neighboring Syria, and my brother bishops there have invited me to come. I do so gratefully and willingly, to bring your encouragement and assistance as well. I’ll let you know how it went next week when I get back.
Last October, we placed in our cathedral, thanks to a benefactor of Lebanese origin, a chapel to the renowned Maronite Catholic holy man and miracle worker of Lebanon, St. Charbel. Would you ask his intercession for his beloved Lebanon … and whisper to him that I could use his guidance and wisdom while in his home country?
Shortly after he arrived in Lebanon, he celebrated Mass at St. Joseph Church in Beirut. Here is part of that liturgy and his homily:
Late Sunday, he posted the two videos below on his blog, chronicling some of the first day of his trip, including a visit to the shrine of St. Charbel and a chance to see the good work being done by our longtime collaborators in the country, the Good Shepherd Sisters. We hope to keep you updated in a days ahead with what promises to be an inspiring trip!