Under the motto “Choose life”, Antonine University held its new academic year inaugural mass. Presided by Fr. Michel Jalakh UA President accompanied by Rev. Frs. Ziad Maatouk Vice-rector for Administrative Affairs and Jean El Alam Vice-rector for Integral Human Development, the mass was held at Our Lady of Seeds Chapel, Campus of Hadat-Baabda, in the presence of the Antonine Fathers’ Community, Deans, Directors, Faculty and Administrative Staff, and students.
The mass, animated by the Antonine University Choir, conducted by Fr. Toufic Maatouk and UA Pastoral Work Group, was offered for the repose of the souls of Fr. Louis Rohban UA Founders President, UA staff deceased family members, and deceased students Léa Farah, Charbel Jreij, Alfred Roukoz and Fares El Helou.
Fr. Jalakh delivered a sermon during which he reaffirmed the university’s core mission in being at the service of the students. In his homily, he emphasized the importance of the students at UA. He has, on occasion, invited faculty and administration staff to give their full value to the psychic, spiritual and social dimensions as well as to citizenship, participation and interaction with others. He added: "Our mission is significant towards our students. Therefore, as educators, we must go beyond the simple academic and teaching role, to accompany them, to provide them with the very best and to help them change and choose life."
Addressing UA family, he encouraged his audience to be positive, to be enthusiastic and understanding, but also to work for the general interest.
The Mass was closed by awarding the Diploma in Engineering to the parents of the student Farès El-Hélou, who died during a car accident last year.