Patriarch Raï marks 400 years of Capuchin presence in Lebanon and the Middle East

Patriarch Raï delivered a homily at Saint Louis Capuchin Cathedral in Beirut on October 24, 2026, to mark the 400th jubilee of the Capuchin Order in Lebanon and the Middle East. The jubilee theme is "He who began a good work in you will complete it."

The Capuchin presence in the region began in 1626 when French Capuchin monks arrived in Sidon and established their mission at Khan al-Ifranj. During this time, Patriarch John Khalaf served in Qannubin and encouraged the work of religious missions. From Sidon, the Capuchins expanded to Beirut in 1628, later reaching areas including Hasroun, Tripoli, Ghazir, Abey, Salima, and Abdat.

The Patriarch noted that the order provided education, healthcare, and service to the poor across these locations. In Tripoli, they served Christian communities, while in Ghazir they focused on spiritual formation and education. In Abey, the monks served orphans and the poor, and in Salima, their work centered on caring for the sick.