On the occasion of the Beatification of Venerable Brother Estephan Nehme, monk of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Father Abbot Elias Khalife, General Superior of the Lebanese Maronite Order called for an honorary dinner in the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik on July 20, 2010 in which participated the Minister of Interior and Municipalities Mr. Ziad Baroud representing President Michel Suleiman, deputy Atef Majdalany representing Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni, Patriarch of Cilicia of the Armenians, Minister of Labor Mr. Boutros Harb, ambassador of Italy Mr. Gabriel Kikia, president of ‘The Change and Reform Bloc » General Michel Aoun, members of the diplomatic, military and judicial corps, presidents of municipalities, mayors, party members, personalities working in the social and media fields, general directors, deans and teachers from the university as well as Father Boulos Azzi head of the Maronite beatification committee.

The Rector of the University said for this occasion: “I asked Father Abbot Khalife to be the first person to take the floor for four reasons: I wanted to thank you, greet you, present this ceremony and present a gift. I would like first to thank the general superior for giving the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik the opportunity of hosting this dinner and be more the immersed in the beatification of Brother Estephan Nehme and to wish, in your name, a happy name day to all those named Charbel, Elias or Estephan, especially Father Abbot Elias Khalife, general superior of the Lebanese Maronite Order. Allow me as well to present to Father Abbot Khalife this icon of Blessed Brother Estephan Nehme that was painted by Father Abdo Badawy, director of the Sacred Art Institute in our University ».

After that, Father Abbot Elias Khalife thanked all those who participated in the beatification ceremony: “we are gathered here today to joyfully thank all of you for your sacrifices and help. Working together promotes success and the first lesson to be learned from the beatification of Brother Estephan is to get back together because only our unity can make us succeed, overcome difficulties and become a force that no one can break or exploit”.
He finally concluded by saying: “we are gathered tonight around the sacred face of Brother Estephan to ask him to invoke God to bestow his graces upon you. May God reward you and elevate you to the rank of saints”.