Beirut (Lebanon), 07/28/2017, Sr. Victoria Balteanu.- The JMJ experience in the Maronite Church of Lebanon was made in three steps: 15th till 18th; 19th till 23rd; and 24th till 26th. The church sent an invitation to the Maronite youth from all around the world, allowing them to reunite with their country.
The Lebanese destiny of the Maronite community
The part of Christians in Lebanon represents approximately 40% of the total population. They are mostly Maronites, but there are also Christians from the Orthodox Church of Antioche, the Greco-catholic church of Melkite, the Armenian church, and many other small communities such as the Catholic and orthodox church of Syrians, the Protestants, the Latin church, the Chaldean Catholic church and the apostolic Assyrian church of Orient.
The Maronite church began in the IVth century under the influence of Saint Maroun, a hermit living in the Syrian mountains. The monks, disciples of the saint, belonged as he did to the church of Antioche, which was one of the important centers of Christianity. In 451, the Chalcedon council leaded to the separation of the Maronites and the church of Antioche. The Maronites also refused their alliance with the Byzantine church, thus provoking the anger of the Byzantine emperor Anastase, whom persecuted them. They hid in the mountains of Mount Lebanon. The Islamic conquests of the VIIth century reinforced their isolation in the Lebanese mountains-refuges.
The maronites organized themselves with monasteries and powerful religious orders across the territory. The maronite community also has developed a civil society apart from its religious hierarchy, which is a remarkable event in a country where both concepts are often mistaken as one. This precocious autonomy of this civil society is one of the determining factors which marked the participation of the maronites in Lebanon’s history.
A simple yet beautiful organization
Sr. Victoria BalteanuFirst step: from 15th till 18th the program of the diocese, welcome in the families and social projects. We are in the Sagesse Brasilia School in Hazmieh, the 15th of July. At 8h30 arrives the first group from Syria-Damas. We began with the Mass, then we organized the games to break the ice. After lunch, the families received their youths. The 16th of July, the Egypt group arrived, followed by the Canadian group in the 18th. It was decided that in each family, the youths had to eat the same lunch and do the same activity. And so we accompanied them during their daily activities...Second step: Wednesday, 19th of July at 8h00, we started off our journey to Bkerkeh, the night of the youths’ festival and expositions of the dioceses. Thursday the 20th, conference about the maronite spirituality, expositions of the religious communities, the groups of the maronite family, and the festival at the Kaslik University. We ended our journey with the procession at Saint Charbel in Annayaa. Friday the 21st, exposition of different workshops (painting, sculpting, manual works...). At dawn, the festival of the Kaslik University, then the final of the maronite coppa. Saturday, journey to the North, and visit in St Antoine Kozzhya, the house of St Charbel where he was born, and the cedars of Lebanon where we finished off with the night prayers in Diman. Sunday the 23rd, also in Diman, the concluding mass of JMJ with the patriarch St Bechara Boutros El Raii, and in the end a blissful moment when we learned that Father Tufic was named Bishop: the cheering fused all around. In the afternoon, the youths returned to their dioceses.
The third step: (optional outgoings) Monday 24th, Zahleh, Baalbak, Bkraa or the Jeita cave, Byblos and Saint Charbel. Then, Tuesday 25th, the Holy Valley, or Batroun, Kafarhee, Jrrbtaet Kfifa. The last day, Wednesday 26th, Beit el Din, Deir el Amar, Maghdoucheh or the Sea and Shopping, then the separation in the International airport of Beirut.
Mixing festivities with joy
We were around 2 millions of young people from all around the world, representing our countries. I was part of this group to represent Romania and went with the Mar-Takla church Hazmieh in Lebanon. I was thinking: “it’s incredible all these youths that are so happy to be here, this joy lead by all the singing, dancing...!” And then, someone on the platform called for a moment of prayer, and all of a sudden, there was silence. So many people singing together is impressing, but the silence of those people during a united prayer is astonishing, it’s an amazing experience to live!
The joy of knowing and living in Lebanon!
After living something so precious, I wanted to give something by participating. It’s a way of being in service of all those young people that came to Lebanon, without really knowing what awaited them. This was the JMJ: it’s amazing to see everything already put together and witness the motivation of the youths! I am probably the one who knows least about Lebanon, but the more I hear about it, the more I want to discover this country, with all its saints and the joy of living with all its young people.An emotive feeling was left in me from all the memories that I kept: it was the last night that Father Tufi said farewell to the youths with the song: “Ce n’est qu’un au revoir... It’s only a goodbye...”
The experience of God’s love
This memory reflects my experience with JMJ: during ten days in joy, we witnessed the love of God. A strong experience that always guides me. Not everything can be done in a day, but what I lived in JMJ was incredible.
“God picks us when we least expect it”
Anyway, the JMJ of the Maronite Church in Lebanon was unbelievable. I found out that the youths came with an open heart, as they were told: “Let yourself be guided: God picks us when we least expect it”. This experience makes me stronger in my faith. It happened when I didn’t expect it, a lot of youths who desire to follow Jesus saying “Come”, an invitation for all the people around the world. God blesses all the persons who organized this event.
Click the arrow to move forward