Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
NDA
Beirut (Agenzia Fides) - After five consecutive years of crises, many Lebanese are beginning to harbor hope for a new era for the Land of the Cedars, prompted by the election last January of a new President of the Republic: General Joseph Aoun, former army commander. This opens up an unprecedented scenario, still fraught with uncertainty but also with expectations, Sister Micheline Najjar, Provincial of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles (Soeurs Missionnaires de Notre Dame des Apostles, NDA), told Fides. “The country has gone through a dark and painful period,” Sister Micheline recalls. “The deep economic crisis, the terrible consequences of the pandemic, the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut in 2020, armed conflicts, extreme poverty, mass migration, the destruction of homes and families, and the absence of a President for two and a half years have put to the test a people who, however, have proven accustomed to overcoming adversity.” The presidential election took place “just two weeks after the opening of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope 2025,” convened by Pope Francis, and coincided with the formation of a new government headed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. It is a political turning point that, in the words of the nun, “has touched the aspirations of a people and a country that yearns to rise from its ashes like the phoenix.” However, she emphasizes, “this nascent hope is accompanied by prudent caution.” The challenges for the new leaders are enormous: regaining the trust of citizens and the international community, reviving a collapsed economy, restoring public institutions, and ensuring stability in a region marked by tension.
In this context, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles remain committed to families, young people, and children, especially in the field of education. "Despite the difficulties, we continue to draw strength from the Lord, convinced that He always triumphs over evil," says Sister Micheline. In the midst of the reconstruction process, their mission continues to be guided by the certainty that "God never ceases to act, even in the midst of storms." (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 16/4/2025)
