Inauguration of Mar Charbel Monastery in Rome

A historic event took place in Rome displaying the true Maronite identity. The inauguration of monastic headquarters in the city of the Bishop of Rome is unique for the Maronite Church, and it shows the deep ties between the monastic life and the Maronite Church. Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Rai headed the opening mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception inside the monastery. Patriarch Rai celebrated the mass with Bkirki’s Mission to the Holy See Bishop John Rafic al-Warsha and head of the Lebanese Order of Maronite Monks Rev. Fr. Abbot Neematalah Hashem and head of the Eastern Churches Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. The mass was attended by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Mr. Gilbert Chaghoury.