As the Rector observed: “In times of crisis, we choose to exhibit steadfastness and call for solidarity where lies our strength.”

Upon invitation by its Rector, Fr. Michel Jalakh, Antonine University (UA) celebrated its 25th anniversary on May 15, 2021, which coincided with the Feast of its patroness, Our Lady of the Seeds. For this occasion, a festive Mass presided over by the Superior General of the Antonine Maronite Order (OAM), Abbot Maroun Abou Jaoude, and attended by Fr. Jalakh and other Antonine monks was held in Our Lady of the Seeds Church at UA’s Hadat–Baabda Campus and live-streamed on social media platforms.

In his homily, Abbot Abou Jaoude stressed that UA has succeeded in embodying Marian spirituality in its administration, initiatives, and commitment, and has taken upon itself the responsibility of planting seeds of hope and making them bloom in the hearts of its students. However, this founding mission is known to be colossal in a country such as Lebanon. In addition, he drew attention to the fact that UA spent 25 years of dedication and devoted service on building the nucleus of society and its leaders, whose weapons are their minds, whose preoccupation is Lebanon, and whose hearts are cultivated with the Antonine spirituality that infuses hope in a country where peace can only be found among those who always live in God’s presence.

After the Mass, Fr. Jalakh pointed out that UA’s 25th Anniversary was accompanied by shortages in everything, to the point of losing joy and happiness. He went on to say, “Let our Feast be an opportunity for us to reflect on our current situation to find out what we can, and most importantly, what we must do, to shoulder responsibility in the face of the crisis.” Fr. Jalakh also prompted the community to step up efforts to resolve this crisis, which he described as profound, global, and historic and called for a true reconciliation founded on truth, justice, respect for others, acceptance of their differences, and lastly, on forgiveness and love, especially now that 30 years have passed since the end of our senseless war.

He then looked back with pride on the University’s own path and outlined the great strides that have led it to rank among the best Lebanese universities. In fact, not only did UA obtain accreditation from the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality (AAQ), but also its Faculty of Music and Musicology (FMM) became the first musical unit in the Arab world to be accredited, as its programs received the official accreditation from the Music Quality Enhancement (MusiQue) Agency, not to mention that its Department of Physical Therapy (DPT) was likewise granted a prestigious accreditation by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT). Fr. Jalakh moved on to say that UA has changed the outlook of sports science education in Lebanon, and thus has become a pioneer in the fields of education, research, community service, and integral human development. He added: “It saddens us to see that the University is not able to find the resources, support, and adequate opportunities to realize its ambition and put its innovations into practice.” Fr. Jalakh concluded on a positive note: “Although the night is dark, we will stay awake and keep our lamps lit. Not is only success our destiny, but it should also, under no circumstances, be hampered, and for this to happen, it requires willpower, solidarity, and steadfastness. This is how we define our history, our present, and our future!”

You can access the Rector’s speech delivered on this occasion | [EN] [FR] [AR]