Originally published at National Catholic Register
A convent of the Sisters of Good Help in Lebanon has opened its doors to welcome more than 800 people who have been displaced by Israeli bombing. According to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need, these nuns work to offer refugees “not only shelter but comfort and support.”
The 15 nuns who live in the convent belong to the Greek-Melkite Catholic Church. Hundreds of Lebanese, most of them Muslims, have found a safe haven at their convent there. In response to the violence of the war, which has worsened in recent weeks, the sisters have taken in the most vulnerable.
Mother Joselyne Joumaa, the congregation’s superior general, recounted that “on the first night of the bombing, dozens of people came running to take refuge with us. In 12 days, we have received more than 800 refugees.”
“We are overwhelmed and we can’t receive any more,” she added.
The nuns said their work before the war has allowed them to forge close ties with people of all religions in the region, but especially with the Muslim community, as many decide to enroll their children in the convent school, which has ceased operations due to the violence.
“They have
