The Congregation of the Holy Family one century after its foundation
In 1995, the Congregation celebrated the centenary of its foundation. The solemnities included several cultural events, notably symposiums and publications.
Then the Congregation opened the proceedings for the beatification of its founder, Patriarch Elyas Hoyek. It is to be confirmed in 2020, a date that will also mark the foundation of Greater Lebanon.
Counting 250 nuns, the congregation is reinforcing its leadership, seeking to modernise its institutions. It figures well among Catholic institutions within Lebanon's private education system. Its sixty schools deliver high-level teaching in French and Arabic. Since 2009, the sisters also run the University of the Holy Family at Batroun. In Australia the teaching is delivered in English and Arabic, the experience of an English speaking culture is an opportunity to broaden the mission's prospects.
The Holy Family sisters also run a large hospital in Beirut and several dispensaries and care homes. The hospital is named after father Joseph Selwan Geitaoui who set it up as a not for profit charitable agency in 1927 before handing its management over to the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family. This establishment holds a foremost position in the provision of medical care in the Middle East, pioneering and providing the newest diagnosis and treatment technologies. As a university medical centre, it trains the residents from the Faculty of Medical Science at the Lebanese University and treats all patients without any exception regardless of race, class or creed.
The Maronite Congregation of the Holy family makes a two-forked contribution to the advancement of women. First, it equips its members, women from modest socio-cultural backgrounds, with a sound education and training; second it offers a wide ranging education to young women who will serve in the society in which they live, whatever globalisation may bring.
