Young Priests Gather in Bekfaya

Between the joyful celebration of two priestly ordinations in Lebanon, Bikfaya convoked the young priests of the province for four days of prayer, reflection and conviviality. Many having lived together at length in their various stages of formation, this gathering gave young priests a chance to come back together, to rest, and to share graces and challenges from our first years of ordained ministry in the Society and in the Church. Eight of us priests were present, all within five years of our ordination. In the recent past, such meetings have occurred every two years.

This time provided a rich opportunity to take a step back and examine our relationships – with God in prayer, with one another in community, with our work and with the people that we serve. The discussions quickly became a safe space for deep and honest sharing, sparing no soaring consolation or cutting critiques of the way we live or do not yet live, both individually and communally. Though our experiences were the primary catalyst for our sharing, with the accompaniment of Fr. Naoras Sammour, we also employed intra-province circular letters and Gospel passages to help interpret and frame our reflections. The experience included ice cream, a mechaoui with the family of Tony Homsy, who was in town for his ordination, and a conversation with provincial Michael Zammit. Those present included: Amir Adel, Joseph Fawzi, Joseph Nabil, Youssef Abdel-Nour, Jad Jabbour (not pictured), Rabih el-Hourani, Garrett Gundlach and Vincent de Beaucoudrey. We are grateful to the province for this initiative and to Bikfaya for the hospitality.

Garrett Gundlach SJ