Faithful to a long-standing tradition, Antonine University (UA) celebrated the first evening prayer of the Christmas Novena on December 15, 2025, at Our Lady of the Seeds Monastery on the Hadat–Baabda Campus. The celebration took place in the presence of His Excellency the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Joseph Aoun, and the First Lady, Ms. Nehmat Aoun, and was presided over by His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Ra‘i, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and All the East. This cherished annual gathering brought together Lebanon’s highest religious, political, and national figures on the threshold of the Nativity, weaving faith, nation, and community into a shared moment of prayer.
This year’s celebration unfolded as a symbolic journey of hope and renewal, inviting the faithful to cross a spiritual threshold and prepare their hearts for a new birth, in harmony with the profound meaning of the Nativity.
The opening of the Novena took place during a year marked by three significant jubilees: the Jubilee of the Universal Church in 2025, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”; the 325th anniversary of the Antonine Maronite Order (OAM), celebrated under the theme “Rejoicing in Hope”; and the 30th anniversary of Antonine University, which continues its mission of education, service, and outreach in Lebanon and beyond.
The rite was attended by Maronite Archbishop of Beirut Paul Abdel Sater and Archbishops Simon Atallah and Elias Nassar, alongside Rev. Abbot Joseph Bou Raad, Superior General of the OAM and UA Chancellor, and Rev. Fr. Michel Saghbiny, UA Rector, with the participation of senior clergy and representatives of religious orders.
As the faithful entered the Monastery, the passage through the main wooden door marked the beginning of this spiritual journey. Specially designed for the occasion to commemorate the 325th Jubilee of the OAM, the door was adorned with cedar branches and a gentle string of light, symbolizing a movement from trial to hope, and from waiting to renewal.
The celebration was enriched by the UA Choir, conducted by Toufic Maatouk, OAM, whose sacred hymns fostered an atmosphere of reverence and contemplation, guiding the assembly into a spirit of anticipation as the Feast of the Nativity draws near.
At the altar, the symbolic setting deepened this spiritual narrative. Wheat ears placed on the steps recalled the seed entrusted to fertile soil, echoing the journey of the University community over three decades of mission and service. They evoked Our Lady of the Seeds, patroness of Antonine University, and the call to bear fruit through self-giving, perseverance, and faithful stewardship.
Behind the altar, three wooden doors stood as a sign of the Trinitarian mystery and of the University’s thirty-year journey: from its foundational seed, to its growth as an institution, and toward a mission open to the future. From these doors emerged light and cedar branches, symbols of life, endurance, and rooted hope.
At the heart of the altar, the Nativity scene unfolded among cedar branches and flowing light. The Holy Family, gathered beneath a roof of cedar, expressed the warmth of grace and the light that comes into the world through the birth of Christ.
Set within this rich spiritual symbolism, the commencement of the Christmas Novena was marked by the presence of a wide spectrum of national leadership and public figures. Among those present were Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mr. Elias Bou Saab; Minister of Defense Brigadier General Michel Menassa, Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Rima Karami, Minister of Information Dr. Paul Morcos, and Minister of Environment Dr. Tamara El-Zein; Members of Parliament Ibrahim Kanaan, Alain Aoun, Selim Aoun, Elias Estefan, Georges Okais, and Michel Mouawad; President of the Constitutional Council Judge Tannous Mechleb; Ambassador of France to Lebanon Mr. Hervé Magro; Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Rodolphe Haykal; Director General of the Presidency of the Republic Dr. Antoine Choucair; and Regional Director of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie in the Middle East Dr. Jean-Noël Baléo, along with senior security officials, governors, mayors, syndicate heads, judicial, diplomatic, media and press representatives, religious figures, and a large gathering of the faithful.
In his address, Rev. Fr. Michel Saghbiny, Rector of Antonine University, reflected on the profound meaning of Christmas amid Lebanon’s ongoing trials. He described the Nativity as “a story of hope born in darkness,” drawing a parallel between the humility of Christ’s birth into a troubled world and the difficult, decisive moment Lebanon is living today. Yet, he emphasized that “the greatest light shines from the deepest darkness,” calling on all present to resist despair, fear, and withdrawal.
Drawing on papal messages addressed to Lebanon, the Rector stressed that hope is not passive expectation, but a daily commitment. “Hope is a Christmas act we practice every day,” he affirmed, urging families, educational institutions, and society at large to transmit love of the country, prepare future generations, and spread “the fragrance of reconciliation, not the scent of division.” He underlined that fear remains the greatest enemy of peace and hope, and that Christmas comes to break this fear and renew confidence in Lebanon’s capacity for rebirth.
Addressing the President of the Republic, Rev. Fr. Saghbiny affirmed that Antonine University places all its capabilities, expertise, and commitment at the service of the nation. He highlighted the central role of education and higher learning in rebuilding the country and restoring trust in public life, emphasizing that universities are called to form generations capable of transforming pain into hope and destruction into renewal.
The address concluded with a call to peace, unity, and shared responsibility, affirming that diversity is not an obstacle to healing and national renewal, but rather a source of richness and strength for Lebanon’s identity and future. The Rector invited all present to become “guardians of hope,” believing that Lebanon, through its message, remains a light for the East and a leaven in the world.
Following the celebration, two symbolic gestures reflected the spiritual depth and national significance of the occasion. Antonine University announced the launch of the Maronite Patriarchate Award, a new initiative established in continuation of its mission, in recognition of the Maronite Patriarchate’s enduring role and contributions to education and higher learning, and on the occasion of H.B. Patriarch Al-Ra‘I presiding over the opening prayer of the Christmas Novena 2025. The award consists of a full master’s degree scholarship, granted annually during the Commencement Ceremony to the student who embodies the University’s core values throughout their academic journey, in a commitment to nurturing and strengthening these values among the rising generations.
As a gesture of respect and gratitude, H.E. President Aoun and the First Lady were presented with a sacred icon of the Holy Family, written by Rev. Fr. Charbel Bou Abboud, OAM. Preserved in a box crafted from Lebanese cedar wood, the icon depicts the Divine Child at the center, flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. Bearing both spiritual and national symbolism, it was offered as a prayer for protection over the First Family of Lebanon and as a blessing for the Lebanese family in all its diversity, invoking steadfast faith, rooted love, and the grace of the Holy Family.
A private dinner was later hosted at the Monastery, bringing together the President of the Republic, the Maronite Patriarch, ministers, and distinguished guests, extending the spirit of communion and dialogue beyond the liturgical celebration.
Through this traditional celebration, Antonine University once again affirmed its vocation as a space where faith, education, and national commitment converge, offering a message of hope, peace, and steadfastness at a time when Lebanon continues to seek renewal and stability.