From May 26 to 31, 2026, the Saint-Louis de Gonzague – Franklin school in Paris organized its traditional Journées missionnaires around Lebanon, the country of honor this year. Placed under the theme “In the One who is One, let us be one” (In illo uno unum), a pontifical motto of Pope Leo XIV, this edition offered a time for gathering, reflection and solidarity in favor of Jesuit works in Lebanon.

A great witness of the Journées missionnaires, Fr. Jad Chebli, SJ, General Chaplain of Saint Joseph University of Beirut, shared a spiritual and human testimony on the situation in Lebanon and on the educational mission carried out by Jesuit institutions. Prof. François Boëdec, SJ, Rector of USJ, also took part in this event, reflecting on the deep ties that unite USJ and the Jesuits of France.

In his speeches, Fr. Chebli recalled that the theme chosen this year refers to the very heart of the Christian faith: unity. He emphasized that it is not a façade of unity, nor mere uniformity, but a relational unity, based on listening, respect and recognition of the other in his difference. “To be a missionary today,” he explained, “is not only to go towards the other; it is also to learn to live together differently, to build bridges where there are walls, to choose communion rather than fragmentation.”

Fr. Chebli insisted that this theme should not remain a simple slogan, but become a real path of life, demanding and deeply evangelical. Based on the image of the Trinity, he invited participants to become, in their turn, peacemakers and witnesses of hope in a world suffering from divisions.

One of the highlights of these Journées missionnaires was the Messe des Missions, celebrated on May 31. In his homily, Fr. Chebli delivered a strong and luminous meditation on Christian hope in the face of the world’s suffering, especially that of Lebanon. Starting from the words of the Gospel, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,” he spoke about the questions that inhabit so many populations who have been tried by war, crises and separations: where is God when the world suffers?

Answering this question, he recalled that God does not respond to suffering with a speech, but with a gift: that of his Son. God does not send his Son into an ideal world, he emphasized, but into a wounded history, marked by tensions, violence and trials. For Fr. Chebli, it is precisely here that the depth of Christian hope is revealed: to believe that God remains present at the very heart of the wounds of the world and continues to open a path, even when everything seems obscure.

Developing this reflection, he asserted that hope is not to deny the difficulties or claim that everything will be fine tomorrow, but to believe that war, hatred and death will never have the final say. This final say still belongs to God, and this word is Life. He gave the assembly a word of faith rooted in reality, evoking the perseverance of Lebanese families, young people who continue to study, create and dream, and all those who refuse to let suffering define their future.

The Journées missionnaires were also marked by several important moments of culture, dialogue and solidarity. Through meetings and discussions, it was possible to highlight the richness of Lebanon, its human and spiritual heritage, as well as the challenges it still faces. The presence of invited guests, including Rima Abdul Malak, executive director of L'Orient-Le Jour Group and former French Minister of Culture, and Joseph Maïla, director of the Mediation program of the Institute for Research and Education on Negotiation (IRENE) at ESSEC, contributed to enriching these moments of sharing during the panel discussion in which Prof. Boëdec and Fr. Chebli also participated. 

A charity auction and a dinner inspired by Lebanese flavors were organized for the benefit of Jesuit works in Lebanon. The funds raised aim to support educational and social initiatives led by USJ, Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour and the NGO Al Mazeed.

By organizing these Journées missionnaires, Franklin school wanted to demonstrate its close relationship with Lebanon and with the Jesuit missions in this country, in a spirit of fraternity and shared responsibility. This event was a reminder that education, faith and solidarity remain concrete paths for building unity, supporting hope and accompanying young people toward a more just future.

Saint Joseph University of Beirut expresses its deep gratitude to Franklin school, to all the organizers and to all participants and donors for this beautiful initiative, which made Lebanon shine at the heart of a surge of communion and hope.

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Also read: Le Liban à l’honneur aux Journées missionnaires 2026 de Franklin