On Friday July 26, 2013, The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) celebrated its graduation ceremony, under the name “Class of Pope Francis” for 1230 graduating students from all Faculties and Campuses. The ceremony was held at the USEK Main Campus under the blessing of the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al Rai, in the presence of MP Nabil Nicolas, bishops Paul Rouhana, Boulos Al Sayyah, Hanna Alwan and Tanios El Khoury, the Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order (LMO), Rev. Fr. Abbot Tannous Nehme, priests and nuns, as well as political, religious, municipal, educational and social figures, in addition to members of the University Council, teachers and parents of the graduating students.

Following the ritual blessing performed by Patriarch Al Rai and Fr. Abbot Nehme, Miss Lebanon 2012, Rina Chibany said in her speech: “Today, we are moving towards achieving our mission... A year ago, I was crowned beauty queen, and today we are all crowned with education, which holds more potential and has more sustainable advantages.” She noted that degrees should be invested inside the country and not abroad and that graduates must have hopes for the future that must be built without fear “because God and the Holy Spirit guide us”.

The University President, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, opened his speech by saying: “God saw that this was good”, while considering that humans are the most beautiful creation. He said that he will mention seven beauties while starting from those of the first week of creation: “The first is Lebanon.” He spoke to the graduates: “I am aware that most people put the emphasis on the instability of the situation in Lebanon as well as the problems that threaten this country. Do not be afraid; be realistic and optimistic at the same time. There is no nation without problems… Cherish Lebanon.”

He continued: “This is the positive attitude and the love of each other for which Pope Francis calls, and this is the second beauty: the beauty of his personality, his faith and his convictions. We see him helping the weak... This is the love to the weak that is the true power of humans.” Then, he focused on the third beauty, that is the presence of His Eminence Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. He indicated that he is the Shepherd who inaugurated this academic year and the one crowning it. He added: “Today, we will quote Saint Paul: “Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold such people in esteem (Phil 2: 29).”

Rev. Fr. Mahfouz thanked the Patriarch for his presence for blessing the new modern institution highlighting that the University was founded by the Lebanese Maronite Order, which is the subject of the fourth beauty: “It is the Order of the Saints Charbel, Rafqa, Nimatullah and Estephan… The Order that seeks perfection and is prospering thanks to its dynamism... The Order that accompanied migrants abroad. Its history reflects its contribution to the building and growth of Lebanon.”

Then, he saluted Fr. Abbot Tannous Nehme, the Superior General of the LMO before moving to the fifth beauty: The geographic location of USEK, embraced by Harissa Mountains and the Bay of Jounieh. He said: “By ‘USEK’s location’, I meant the current location seen through the prism of the great events of its history on the one hand, its position according to the academic international community and the Lebanese academic community, on the other hand.” He added that USEK has grown and it includes today 12 Faculties and 4 Institutes, and has more than 8000 students. He mentioned that the academic and monastic authorities have approved the urban plan of the University, scheduled to take place over the next fifteen years, which will transform the campus into a piece of environmentally green urban art. He also said: “USEK obtained the European Institutional Accreditation and has been classified among the top five universities in the MENA region. We are aiming now to obtain the American accreditation.”

He continued: “You, dear graduates, are the sixth beauty, you are our pride. I would like to thank and congratulate your parents... Be happy and never limit your ambitions.” He concluded: “On the seventh day God finalized his piece of art and rested. I will discuss here the seventh beauty: the beauty of resting and tranquility. Dear graduates, learn how to relax so you can to learn to appreciate the beauty of life.”

Then, the Maronite Patriarch took the floor and expressed his joy because the graduates were named “Class of Pope Francis” and congratulated the University and its President, Rev. Fr. Mahfouz whose mandate was renewed. Then he addressed the graduates: “You carry the name of “Class of Pope Francis” at a time when Lebanon and the East are suffering from anxiety, misery, and political and religious conflicts, impeding dialogue and peaceful negotiations.” Patriarch Al Rai said that the Pope Francis calls for peace and cease-fire by accepting the other and seeking peaceful solutions through political and diplomatic means. He insisted that justice leads to peace, adding: “You speak the language of peace and justice... the language of love for the Nation, its institutions and its people. You speak in the name of the truth.”

He added: “Be independent... build your opinions and decisions and be brave in admitting the truth, in defending justice, in refusing dependency.” In this context, he quoted St. Paul: “For freedom Christ has set us free (Gal 5: 1).”

He reiterated that Pope Francis had focused on three expressions on Palms Sunday: “Joy, the kingship of Jesus and youth. Joy is your virtue and your mission, the kingship of Jesus because “There is no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends (Jn 15: 13)”; the youth of a heart beating with love and the courage of Jesus.” He concluded: “Be the apostles of our society and may the Holy Spirit guide you.”

Fr. Abbot Nehme and Rev. Fr. Mahfouz offered an oil painting to Patriarch Al Rai. Finally, diplomas were distributed and so were the awards of Dr. Elie Chelala and Dr. Moussa Bou Farah. A souvenir photo was taken for prosperity and the ceremony concluded with a cocktail dinner.