Friends of the LebaneseFranciscan Sisters of the Cross – December 28On December 28, the Friends of the LebaneseFranciscan Sisters of the Cross in Lebanon gathered in a spirit of deepgratitude and heartfelt joy to celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass on the occasion ofthe historic visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the Psychiatric Hospital ofthe Cross.The Holy Mass was presided over by His Excellency Bishop AntoineAbout Najem, whose spiritual presence and heartfelt words gave thecelebration a profound depth. In his homily, he emphasized the importance ofmercy, compassion, and standing beside those who suffer, reminding everyonethat true greatness is found in serving the most vulnerable. His prayerfulleadership elevated the gathering into a true encounter of faith and gratitude.It was more than a Mass. It was a moment ofgrace a continuation of the blessingthat touched the hospital during the papal visit. Hearts were united in prayer,thanksgiving rising like incense, as we thanked God for the comfort, dignity,and hope that were renewed in the lives of our beloved patients. It was amoment where faith embraced suffering and transformed it into light.The celebration was honored by the distinguishedpresence of the First Lady of Lebanon, Neemat Aoun, accompanied by her sonKhalil Aoun and his wife Maria Aoun. Their presence was a beautiful sign ofsolidarity and compassion toward the mission of the Sisters and the patientsthey lovingly serve.We were also blessed by the presence of theSuperior General, Mother Marie Makhlouf, whose unwavering dedication continuesthe charism of mercy entrusted to the Congregation. Her presence reflected thespiritual heart of this mission a mission rooted in humility, service, andunconditional love.Following the Mass, the joy of Christmas filledthe hall with a concert unlike any other. The true stars of the event were thepatients of the hospital themselves, who performed with touching sincerityalongside Elie Khayat and Elie Seaman. Their voices carried more than melodiesthey carried stories of resilience, faith, courage, and renewed hope.The concert was deeply moving. Smiles lit up everyface. Tears of emotion mingled with applause. A wave of joy spread among thepatients, their hearts overflowing with happiness. In that sacred space ofcelebration, illness was not the focus. Humanity was. Talent was. Love was. Fora few precious hours, the hall echoed not with pain, but with laughter, music,and pure joy.This celebration held an even deeper meaning, asit marked the very first event hosted by the Friends of the Lebanese FranciscanSisters of the Cross. It was a beginning filled with promise a first step in ajourney of support, advocacy, and faithful accompaniment to the mission of theSisters. It set the tone for a future rooted in gratitude, unity, and activecommitment to those most in need.It was a concert that reminded us all that themission of the Lebanese Franciscan Sisters of the Cross is not only to care,but to restore dignity, to awaken joy, and to reveal the light of Christ inevery person especially in those whosuffer.December 28 will remain a living testimony thatwhere compassion meets faith, miracles of the heart are born and wherefriendship becomes mission, hope continues to grow.‍