Synod Day June 2007

To our children the Maronites of Lebanon and the countries of expansion,

Beloved sons and daughters,

At the end of our annual retreat with our brothers the bishops; we were filled in on the application process of our patriarchal synod, and were satisfied and happy with the efforts employed in all dioceses/eparchies, parishes, religious orders, and all different educational institutions, schools, universities, and formation centers. Those efforts focused on receiving and studying the texts of the first file which tackled the issue of our Maronite Church identity, its mission, and its expansion. The work included also the reception of the texts related to economic, political, and social issues. Many trials to put in practice some of the recommendations and suggestions have taken place following a calendar distributed by the general secretariat. In that respect, and inspired by the recommendations as well, numerous successful initiatives are already functioning; which proves that the success of the Synod, as we often said, lies in its application lest it remains just ink on papers.

In this second year of the strategy, we would like to incite you to pursue what you have started and to benefit from the successful experiences and initiatives in place, so we all work together for the best of our Church.

The calendar of this year includes the second file which deals with spiritual and pastoral renewal at three levels: church structures that is patriarchate, eparchies, and parishes; persons’ lives, to indicate clergy, religious men and women, and laity; and the third level relates to renewal of family and youth. 

Let us remember that renewal figures among the major objectives of our Synod. Church institutions need to renew themselves continuously so their performance could meet the aims they were created for, and so they could free themselves of all that goes against their nature.

Yet more importantly is the renewal of the persons who direct those institutions and oversee their operations, for when submitted to the inspirations of Holy Spirit, they can reflect Christ's face and be His loyal servants who contribute in the up building of His kingdom. Need we not at the present time to work together, each from his/her own position, as faithful witnesses to Christ's gospel and the Church's teachings? Christ our Lord depends on us to be the light of the world and its good yeast. It is impossible to be Christ's light if we were not united to Him who said: "I'm the light of the world; I am the way, the truth, and the life." When we all get involved in this renewal work, we discover our true identity, we overcome all fear, and we live out our mission strengthened with hope despite all difficulties.

Therefore, we call upon you dear sons and daughters, to interact positively with the work strategy put forward by the general secretariat who has kept us informed of it. We hereupon draw your attention to some of the main points of that strategy:

§        Form synod committees in eparchies, religious orders, and parishes to watch over the application process.

§        Focus on the importance of the role of consecrated people (priests, monks, and sisters) in studying the texts and their recommendations and in delivering them to the faithful.

§        Distribute the text booklets to members of apostolic movements and organizations to include them in their meetings.

§        Provide spiritual follow through by reciting the synod’s prayer in Sunday masses just after Holy Communion in thanksgiving to the Lord for His graces, and in commitment to the synod’s path.

Once spread throughout all Maronite dioceses/eparchies, here and in the countries of expansion, and inspired by the constants of our faith and our Church, this communal effort takes us into the depth and authenticity of our Maronite heritage and allows us to look into the future in hope and confidence through the intercession of the Virgin Marie and our Maronite Saints.

We specifically address you the youth for you are the future of both Church and country; we invite you to deepen your faith and to be attentive to the role you can play when you invest your potentials in building a sane and compassionate society where public interest and family values overcome all partisan interests which could cause differences and discord. You have in your families, who were built on love, service, and sacrifice, a great example and support to help you overcome present time difficulties and build yourselves a future full of hope and ambition. You have in your history and the history of your Church what incites you to remain attached to this country we built with the other Lebanese, and to continue carrying the mission bestowed upon us by the Lord. Surrender not to despair and listen not to those who preach fear and apprehension, for this goes against the essence of our faith and that of Lebanon’s existence. We are rather certain that your involvement in pastoral work, in institutions and apostolic movements, grants you the opportunity to meet and to work together illumined by the light of your faith and your commitment to Christian and national values.

We thank all who have worked for the Synod for their efforts, the secretariat and all related commissions, asking the Lord to bestow His blessings and graces upon them.

                                                                                                               Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir

                                                                                          Patriarch of Antioch and the Entire East