Lebanon – Installation of the new Superior of the Salesian Middle East Province
El Houssoun, Lebanon – July 2024 - The installation ceremony for the new Superior of the Jesus the Adolescent Province of the Middle East (MOR), Fr Simon Zakerian, was held on the evening of Saturday, 6 July in the Salesian house in El Houssoun, Lebanon. The ceremony was presided over by Fr Juan Carlos Pérez Godoy, Councillor for the Mediterranean Region, representing the Rector Major. The Salesian Family in Lebanon was mobilised for the occasion, with a large representation from the Salesian houses in Syria: Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Salesian Cooperators, collaborators, animators, young people and friends of Don Bosco. All this in spiritual communion with the other communities of the MOR Province (Egypt, Holy Land), which for various reasons (travel, borders, difficulties in the area) could not participate. Everyone surrounded Fr Alejandro José León, formerly MOR Provincial, and Fr Simon Zakerian with affection. Fr Godoy thanked Fr León for his service of animation and governance of MOR Province in times of special difficulty, and wished the new Provincial Fr Zakerian the opportunity to be a centre of fraternal unity to continue the Christian and Salesian witness in the wounded Middle East. The highlights of the rite, during the Eucharistic celebration, were the reading of the decree of appointment, the homily, the profession of faith and the signing of the document of acceptance, Fr León's words of thanks and those of trust and encouragement from Fr Zakerian for a future of hope. The rite ended with the blessing of Mary Help of Christians and was followed by a moment of conviviality and Salesian celebration outdoors, in an atmosphere of spontaneity and joy.