Servant of the Shrine of the Blessed Father Yaacoub in Lebanon Sister Micheline Njeim Says to MECC Media:
We are still living the joy of the visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to the Hospital of the Cross, and we faithfully continue to follow what he told us
We pray for the canonization of the Blessed Father Yaacoub
At the beginning of last December, wounded Lebanon witnessed a period of hope, joy, and peace embodied in the visit of the Pope of Peace, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, to the Land of the Cedars. During his tour in the country, the Supreme Pontiff paid a special visit to the Monastery and Psychiatric and Mental Illnesses Hospital of the Cross in Jal El Dib, founded by the Blessed Father Yaacoub, where he met with patients, the Sisters of the Cross, and the hospital staff.
The Pope’s words remain engraved in the hearts of everyone who prays and works in this hospital. He encouraged them, noting that their competence, compassionate presence, and care for patients are a tangible testimony to Christ’s merciful love. He said they are like the Good Samaritan who stopped for the injured man, cared for him, lifted him up, and healed his wounds.
The impacts of His Holiness’s visit to the Hospital of the Cross continue to this day. In a special interview with the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Sister Micheline Njeim, who is the Servant of the Shrine of Blessed Father Yaacoub, said that they are still living the joy of this visit “because when His Holiness Pope Leo XIV visited us, he left behind joy and peace. He came to proclaim peace, and he left us with great peace.”
She pointed out that they are trying to benefit from the impact of this visit, both personally for each nun and also with the workers in every department, especially with the patients, who still hold on to the joy they experienced during the Pope’s visit.
She added: “We seek to faithfully follow all the words the Pope told us, especially since he said that he came to the Monastery of the Cross because Jesus is present and dwelling there. This placed a very great responsibility upon us and encouraged us to continue our work so that we may preserve the presence of Jesus in this place. From his words, he taught us that via our service to the patients, through our hands and smiles, we continue the Lord’s work, which He wishes to accomplish through us.”
At the end, and with great hope, Sister Micheline said: “We wish and pray for the canonization of the Blessed Father Yaacoub, especially since the Pope was able to visit this place founded by the Blessed Father Yaacoub.”