On November 13, 2012, the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al Rai visited The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik to inaugurate the academic year, bless the transformation of the University into a “green space” and inaugurate the liturgical year. The Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order, Reverend Father Abbot Tannous Nehme, the members of the Assistant General Council of the Order, the President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Hady Mahfouz, the Apostolic Nunciao, Mgr. Gabriel Caccia, Bishops Paul Rouhana, Joseph Mouawad and Tanios Khoury, members of the University Council, President of the Municipal Council of Jounieh, Antoine Ephrem, priests, professors and students were present to greet the Patriarch.

Patriarch Al Rai began proceedings by blessing the University Campus “green space” initiative, which was activated this year. He asked God Almighty to extend his hand to this University so it remains a symbol of life.

The President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, congratulated His Beatitude for becoming a Cardinal in the Catholic Church and called everyone to remember Saint Paul when he said: “Welcome him the Lord in all joy, and hold such people in esteem.” He added that through the path of hard work towards excellence and distinction, USEK undertook the green project. The University always thrives to complete the mission of the Church through higher education and contribute in the development and wellbeing of the human being, all human beings without discrimination. Rev. Fr. Mahfouz praised Patriarch Al Rai by saying: “You are a title of joy that you bring everywhere you go. You are a special Patriarch with your first name Bechara, or Gospel, and your last name Al Rai, or The Shepherd. Moreover, you are special because you are the 77th Maronite Patriarch, holding the number of perfection twice. You are also special because you know no fatigue, you overcome any obstacle to find the path towards Resurrection… your preaching is a source for joy because you always call for love, peace and happiness, along with rejecting all sins.”

Patriarch Al Rai then addressed the audience and expressed how happy he was to be at USEK and explained how the message of joy from Saint Paul and quoted by Rev. Fr. Mahfouz constitutes the pillars of the University. He added that green is the color of hope; therefore USEK is a space of hope and is planting the seeds that will bloom in the future and be the future. His Beatitude Al Rai called everyone to take Christ as their example in order to overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and build the united Lebanese family with dialogue, understanding and joy. He considered that all humans are brothers and sisters in humanity regardless their religion or political beliefs and that the slogan of openness through mutual trust and respect, as well as cooperation, are the cornerstones of a nation worthy of its sacred land and mission.

Rev. Fr. Abbot Nehme and Rev. Fr. Mahfouz presented a biblical book as a souvenir to His Beatitude.

Afterwards, Patriarch Al Rai presided over a holy mass held at the chapel of the University and made an exhortation entitled: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” and said: “The words of Lord Jesus are destined for young people in particular because they are the future of the Christian family, the Church, the society and the nation.”, adding: “The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik hosts thousands of young men and women to give them moral, ethical, social and patriotic education and fulfills the promise of the Lord when he said: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

He continued: “It is a great pleasure to be here at USEK and inaugurate the 2012-2013 academic year; the rich year on both the ecclesial and monastic levels. On the ecclesial level, we are on our way to implement the apostolic exhortation: “Church in the Middle East, Communion and Witness” that Pope Benedict XVI handed us during his historic visit to Lebanon. On the monastic level, the Church is going through a phase that John Paul II has called “The Spring of the Church” and the Lebanese Maronite Order is going through this phase as well. As a result, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik has entered the era of “Spring” or “Pentecost” through its different scientific contributions at the different Institutes and Faculties it boasts.”

His Beatitude added that youth – USEK students – constitute the hope for a better future and a better nation. He urged them to believe in themselves to become protectors of peace and the light that illuminates the dark era the country is witnessing.

In this context, Patriarch Al Rai stated that it is necessary to understand the words of Lord Jesus when he said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10: 10). He explained that Jesus Christ is the source of life who calls himself the Shepherd and the Portal; the University being the gatekeeper. However, the Shepherd and the Portal are much more important than the gatekeeper because they lead the lambs to the spring of life as Lord Jesus has said: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14: 6). As for the importance of the gatekeeper, the Holy Spirit University, it protects the Shepherd through the Holy Spirit as Lord Jesus also said that the Holy Spirit will show us the truth.

Patriarch Al Rai added: “Jesus Christ warns us from the thief, the burglar and the wage earner “For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 2: 21).” He explained that “those who only pursue their own interests bear no love to Jesus Christ in their hearts; they love money and the glories of this lower world. Hence, we can say that Lebanon is in need of officials who fear God and steer far away from personal and sectarian interests; only great hearts and great deeds can build nations.”

His Beatitude concluded by quoting Lord Jesus Christ again: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10: 10) and stressed the continuity of life with Lord Jesus Christ’s promise: “I am making everything new” (Rev 21: 5).