Leb-Beautification of Father Haddad-6-22-08

L'Orient-Le Jour
Page 1 of 1
Imprimer
Fermer
Lundi 23 juin 2008 | 5:00 | Beyrouth
Des dizaines de milliers de fidèles ont assisté à la cérémonie de béatification du père Jacques en présence des trois pôles du
pouvoir
Place des Martyrs, un moment de grâce
Le père Jacques Haddad (1875-1954), prêtre de l’ordre des Frères mineurs capucins, a été béatifié
hier, place des Martyrs, au cours d’une cérémonie religieuse célébrée par le cardinal José Sraïva
Martins, préfet de la Congrégation pour les causes des saints, en présence du chef de l’État, le
général Michel Sleiman, du président de l’Assemblée et du Premier ministre. Les organisateurs de
la cérémonie ont voulu faire de la cérémonie un événement unificateur, conformément à un mot
que répétait le nouveau bienheureux : « Ma communauté, c’est le Liban. » Abouna Yaacoub a donc Prières et recueillement à la
franchi un nouveau pas sur la voie de la canonisation, en devenant bienheureux, un titre qu’avaient place des Martyrs, malgré
l’affluence des fidèles.
mérité avant lui saint Charbel, sainte Rafqa et saint Nehmetallah Hardini. Il sera fêté le 26 juin.
L’Évangile du Bon Samaritain, choisi pour la cérémonie, a été lu par le patriarche maronite, le
cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, qui a également prononcé l’homélie. Il a fait l’éloge d’un homme qui
comptait toujours sur la Providence, dont « la banque », disait-il, « ne fera jamais faillite ». Des
messages du cardinal Martins, du supérieur général des capucins, frère Mauro Johri, et de la
supérieure des franciscaines de la Croix, mère Marie Makhlouf, ont également été lus durant la
cérémonie. Cette dernière a rappelé que, place des Martyrs, le sang de Libanais de toutes les
La toile représentant le père
confessions a été versé, ce qui a fait du Liban « une nation pour tous ses fils ».
Jacques au-dessus de l’autel.
Le cardinal Martins a officié sous le dais métallique qui avait servi lors de la visite historique du
pape Jean-Paul II au Liban (1997), et s’est assis sur le trône en bois de cèdre fabriqué également spécialement pour
l’occasion.
L’article de Fady NOUN
lire aussi >>
Réagissez
© 2007, L'Orient-Le Jour. Droits de reproduction et de diffusion réservés.
http://www.lorient-lejour.com.lb/pdf-page.aspx?page=article&id=375131&pf=1
6/22/2008
The Daily Star - - Vatican delegation beatifies Lebanese priest
Page 1 of 2
ADVERTISEMENT
Print
Copyright (c) 2008 The Daily Star
Monday, June 23, 2008
Vatican delegation beatifies Lebanese priest
Line of dignitaries on hand as thousands attend Beirut ceremony
By Anthony Elghossain
Daily Star staff
BEIRUT: Miraculous, perhaps. Tens of thousands of Lebanese gathered in Martyrs Square in Downtown
Beirut on Sunday to witness the beatification of Yaaqoub Haddad, the late Capuchin priest who gained
fame for his prolific work in founding an order of nuns, expanding the Capuchin school network and
conceiving or establishing a number of religious and social institutions, some of which have gained iconic
status in Lebanon.
Haddad, who died more than 50 years ago, took a step toward sainthood in the first beatification ever to
take place outside the Vatican - and people flocked to the capital to observe the ceremony.
The service itself was presided over by a representative of Pope Benedict XVI, and the head of the
Vatican's office for sainthood, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, in tandem with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah
Butros Sfeir.
Attended by a litany of Eastern Christian prelates, other clerics, international envoys and local political
figures, the event also included the Lebanese political troika of President Michel Sleiman, Speaker Nabih
Berri and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
Thunderous applause greeted Sleiman as he arrived minutes before the Mass, and ovations were
repeated many times during the ceremony, which bestowed one of the highest honors in the Christian
tradition upon a Lebanese priest mere meters away from an Ottoman-era mosque in the heart of the
capital. Indeed, while respectful or appreciative clapping often arose, the loudest rounds of applause
came after "the nation" or the "Lebanese cedars" were mentioned in one context or another.
A procession of the cross was held before Western Catholic - Latinized - renditions of Syriac and Arabic
Christian chants held the massive gathering rapt. As Cardinal Martins read out a message from the
pope, "hoping that this beatification will lift Father Yaaqoub of Ghazir as a happy servant of the Lord," a
white veil cloaking a portrait of the late priest was lifted, symbolizing recognition of Haddad's
beatification.
"The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father," the Maronite patriarch said as he
took the pulpit, evoking reverent silence through the assembled thousands. "The hope of so many
Lebanese was realized today - that hope was the raising of Father Yaaqoub's portrait above the altar of
the Catholic Church."
Sfeir then outlined how Haddad "passed through the narrow door leading to sainthood," attributing the
priest's ability to walk "the difficult road of a saintly life to three virtuous practices: surrender to the will
of God, Christian modesty and the work of mercy."
"Father Yaaqoub would say that 'All God has given me belongs to Him and the poor of Lebanon," added
Sfeir, in reference to his first point regarding the late pastor. "He built hospitals, schools and took care of
the sick, yet he was a man of simple means - Father Yaaqoub put his trust in the grace of God."
Sfeir, describing the four "pillars of modesty" that characterized Haddad's life, again quoted the priest,
saying: "Do not bestow virtue upon yourself that is not present within you; credit the Lord for that which
is good in us; do not praise yourself in the presence of others; and do not count the shortcomings of
those close to you in order to raise yourself."
With the sun beating down on the packed city center and with Lebanese girl scouts handing out hats and
bottled water, the patriarch closed by attributing Yaaqoub's work of mercy to his love of mankind, saying
that "the measure of love is to love without measure."
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/printable.asp?art_ID=93409&cat_ID=2
6/22/2008
The Daily Star - - Vatican delegation beatifies Lebanese priest
Page 2 of 2
Applause and chatter followed Sfeir's sermon but soon gave way to quiet laced with anticipation as an
orchestra and choir provided a powerful undercurrent for the placing of testimonials at the altar.
Intermittent cheers rose from the crowd as a key to the city of Ghazir, a copy of the Capuchin statutes,
the late monk's scapular and various other relics of Yaaqoub's life were presented, but in another display
of a distinct nationalist bent, roars of approval met the presentation of a young cedar as a symbol of the
expansion of Haddad-founded institutions throughout Lebanon and abroad.
Once communion had been received, Sister Mary Makhlouf, who heads the Sisters of the Cross order of
nuns, a network founded by Father Yaaqoub, capped the ceremony in a speech touching upon the
broader meaning of the day. In the shadow of Mohammad al-Amin Mosque, the nun spoke of "seeing
Jesus in Father Yaaqoub, overcoming the divisions, barriers and [narrower] affiliations in the nation that
is a humanistic message."
The sister continued, as the crowd met nearly her every word with an ovation, saying that "sainthood is
not a restriction, but a good turn ... and can lead one to the message of salvation. It matters not who,
where and how we are - we all need someone to love, to help and be helped by."
"This nation, whose concept was founded on the contact of cultures, must - no matter what the
differences and difficulties facing us - serve as a model of coexistence," she said. "The 17 communities
that form this country should be a source of wealth, rather than discord ... Lebanon should spread its
wings like an eagle and shed light into the heart of darkness, as the sky is lit by the rising sun."
Sister Mary ended by expressing her hope that "the years spent for Lebanon and the Lebanese people in
an appeal [to heaven] will be accepted, allowing Lebanon to remain."
A Step closer to sainthood
BEIRUT: The man who would become Abouna Yaaqoub Haddad Kabouchi - literally, Father Jacob Haddad
the Capuchin - was born Khalil Haddad in the Kesrouan village of Ghazir in 1875. The young Haddad
spent his childhood in Lebanon and Egypt before joining the seminary for theological studies at the age
of 18, when he received the moniker "Brother Yaaqoub."
In 1998, a woman from the village of Maghdouche, about 5 kilometers southeast of Sidon, said
Yaaqoub's spirit cured her of a malignant tumor. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI officially attributed the
miracle to the Lebanese priest.
Kabouchi was beatified on Sunday, making him one step closer to sainthood.
Beatification, which requires the recognition of one miracle, can be seen as allowing the Catholic faithful
to pray to the soul in question for intercession, whereas canonization - the declaration of sainthood makes obligatory a belief in the ability to intercede. - The Daily Star
Copyright (c) 2008 The Daily Star
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/printable.asp?art_ID=93409&cat_ID=2
6/22/2008
Lebanon news - NOW Lebanon :: If not now, when -Rome declares Father Haddad a venerated
show all
Monday, June 23, 2008 | 13:36 Beirut |27° Fair
Page 1 of 2
Subscribe to NOW Lebanon RSS feeds
TODAY IN LEBANON
Rome declares Father Haddad a
venerated
Nahr al-Bared reconstruction
donors’ conference begins in
Vienna
June 22, 2008
Print
Save as PDF
Email
Thousands of Lebanese people including the heads of Christian sects,
also President Michel Sleiman, PM Fouad Siniora, and Speaker Nabih
Berri and other politicians and dignitaries participated in the
beatification ceremony of Lebanese Capuchin Father Jacob Haddah.
The beatification ceremony was held in central Beirut and was presided
by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Congregation for the
Causes of Saints.
NOW
Google
Advanced
It is the first time that such ceremony is held outside of the Square of
St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Father Haddad (1875-1954) founded of the Congregation of Franciscan
Sisters of the Cross in Lebanon in 1933 and several schools and hospitals.
Editorial
Comment
Agenda
Talking To
Cuts
Press Round Up
Presse Francophone
Spotlight
NOW Extra
By Nadim
Shehadi,
Chatham
House
MP Abu Faour calls for a new way
of dealing with things
IAEA commissioned in Syria to
investigate nuclear activities
username or email
enter username or email
password
forgot your username
or password?
new user
enter email address
-NOW Staff
Bookmark this article:
Facebook
Google
StumbleUpon
Delicious
Comments ( 3 )
Posted by
CEDAR
REVOLUTION
II & GEBRAN
SONS
June 22. 2008
Thanks LBC for covering life and deeds of Father Haddad.
A breeze of fresh air from home. The beautiful spiritual
music, sermons, and discussions with priests who
understood his strong faith and simple life gave a deeper
& more meaningful understanding of Father Haddad. It
really wasn't the institutions he created, but the power of
his spirit and compassion to force changes when none was
possible, and discover Christ's humanity in the weakest
and feeblest of humans. It is a celebration of life and love
as love is strongest when it flows from Christ's love for us.
This is the love that moves mountain and brings
contentment and real happiness regardless of life’s
problems. Father Haddad reflected the organizational gift
of St. Paul and faith and simplicity of St. Francis and
Mother Theresa. His caring and self sacrificing spirit is
what Lebanon needs today. Our deep thanks for each of
the nuns from the orders he founded for their silent work
and selfless dedication in carrying his work.
Posted by
Azad
June 22. 2008
Lebanon: The Country of Diametrically oposite
contradictions!!!!
ENTER MESSAGE
ENTER YOUR EMAIL
Minister Qabbani: A new date will
be set for students who missed
official exams
Cardinal José Saraiva Martins declared in the name of Pope Benedictus
XVI Father Haddad a venerated. He will be celebrated on June 26 of
every year according to the beatification ordinance.
Digg Theworldtoday.org, June
2008
MP Jisr calls on Army Command to
impose order and control
weapons depots
Posted by
fa
It's the 1st time in Lebanon, but not the 1st time outside
Vatican. Please check on
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=48279
6/23/2008