The Pontifical School of Theology celebrated the inaugural Mass of its 2023-2024 Academic Year on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

Presided over by His Excellency Antoine Nabil Al-Andary, representing the President of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon (APECL), this inaugural Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Georges Hobeika, general vicar of the Lebanese Maronite Order (OLM), and Fr. Elias Hanna, dean of the school. Also in attendance were OLM Superior General Fr. Abbot Hady Mahfouz, Syriac Catholic Bishop of Antioch Mgr. Jules Boutros, and USEK President Fr. Talal Hachem, in addition to superiors of seminaries and the faculty, staff, and students of the Pontifical School of Theology.

In his sermon, Bishop Al-Andary focused on Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (Praise God) and its importance as a wakeup call for the entire world against the backdrop of climate change and its negative effects on the universe and creatures. Detailing the structure of this exhortation from the global climate crisis to the spiritual motivations that stem from faith, His Excellency emphasized four aspects at the heart of Laudate Deum: first, it fits into the social thinking of the Church and goes beyond the environment; second, the behavior of human life must be integrated with our priorities; third, our union with Christ enables us to go a long way; fourth, it is important to walk together in communion and commit as individuals and groups to carrying out initiatives and actions that glorify God through his creatures.

After Holy Mass, a reception was held in front of the chapel entrance.