Catholic nuns welcome more than 800 Muslims in Lebanon

In Lebanon, a convent of the Sisters of Good Help has opened its doors to welcome more than 800 people who have been displaced by Israeli bombings. According to the pontifical foundation Help the Church in Need (ACN) these nuns work to offer refugees “not only shelter, but comfort and support.”

The 15 nuns who live in the convent belong to the Catholic Church of the Greek-Melkite rite. There, hundreds of Lebanese found a safe place, most of them Muslims. The violence of war, which has worsened in recent weeks, forced the sisters to take in the most vulnerable.

This is stated by Mother Joselyne Joumaa, superior general of the congregation: “On the first night of the bombing, dozens of people came running to take refuge with us,” she explained. “In twelve days, we have received more than 800 refugees. “We are overwhelmed and we cannot receive more,” he added.

The nuns emphasize that their work before the war has allowed them to forge close ties with people of all religions in the region, but especially with the Muslim community, since many decide to enroll their children in the school that operates in the convent and that has ceased operations as a result of violence.

“They are so confident that displaced Muslims are often heard saying: ‘It is their cross that will protect us!’” comments the superior general.

The displaced receive breakfast and lunch daily. In addition, they help the nuns with this and other daily tasks: the men are dedicated to collecting firewood to face the winter, they collect garbage and help stack and transport the boxes of humanitarian aid that are received in the convent. Women collaborate in preparing meals.

However, the sisters emphasize that one of their most important tasks is to take the time necessary to listen to the refugees: “They come to share with us their anguish and their fear of tomorrow,” says Mother Joumaa.

“And we also listen to them to respond to their material needs, which are many,” he remarks. In addition, ACN comments that during the week “discussion and play groups are organized, which offer children a semblance of normality in this problematic context.”

It is precisely this complex reality that leads refugees to spend much of their time in the chapel, explains the pontifical foundation, due to “the calm and peace” that is perceived there.

Mother Joumaa highlighted the role of the Blessed Virgin in creating a bond between Muslims and Catholics. Likewise, he explained that when parents – attacked by panic – cannot calm their children during the bombings, it is the sisters who take them in their arms and assure them “that they are safe because they are in the house of God.”

“It’s a fact: thinking about tomorrow can bring us down, because daily tension is sometimes difficult to bear. But our mission is to continue faithfully, and we ask you to support us with prayer,” concluded the superior general.