Born in Bouar, Keserwan, on May 20, 1970, Rev. Fr. Joseph Assaad Bou Raad belongs to the Maronite Eparchy of Jounieh. He completed his intermediate and secondary studies at the Antonine Fathers College in Baabda, where he obtained the Lebanese Baccalaureate in Mathematics.

He joined the Antonine Maronite Order (OAM) on October 15, 1982, began his novitiate on October 15, 1987, and professed his temporary vows on August 18, 1989, at Saint Isaiah Monastery (Mar Chaaya). He later made his perpetual vows on April 9, 1994, in Rome.

Fr. Bou Raad was ordained deacon in December 1994 and priest on July 22, 1995, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, by His Eminence Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Church.

He holds two Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) and a PhD in Biblical Sciences from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, as well as a degree in Music (Solfège).

Throughout his priestly and academic journey, Fr. Bou Raad has held numerous positions within the Antonine Maronite Order and Antonine University (UA). His service includes roles such as Assistant Novice Masterat Saint Isaiah Monastery, Director of Formation for seminarians in Rome, and Dean of UA’s Faculty of Theology (2005–11). He also served as Superior of Saint Elias Monastery in Antelias (2014–17), among other leadership and pastoral responsibilities.

A dedicated scholar and theologian, Fr. Bou Raad has authored and edited several academic and theological works in Arabic, French, and Italian. His publications include “Malheur annoncé, malheur dénoncé: Étude rhétorique de Jérémie 6” (UA Press, 2008) and several studies on biblical interpretation, spirituality, and interreligious dialogue, such as “Le Christianisme et la mondialisation” (Doha, 2006) and “Le discours synodal sur le dialogue avec les juifs et les musulmans” (Islamochristiana, 2009).

He has also lectured in Lebanon and abroad, including at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, the Catholic Seminary in Lviv (Ukraine), and Tbilisi University (Georgia).

Fr. Bou Raad is fluent in Arabic, French, English, Italian, Syriac, German, Greek, and Hebrew.