The President of the Lebanese Republic Awards the President of USJ the National Order of the Cedar with the Rank of Commander Daccache
The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Participates in the USJ’s 150th Anniversary Celebration
Professor Michel Abs, the Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and University Professor at Saint Joseph University (USJ) in Lebanon, participated in the University's celebration on the occasion of its 150th Anniversary at the Technology and Sciences Campus - Mar Roukoz - Dekwaneh. The celebration was held under the patronage of the President of the Lebanese Republic General Joseph Aoun, represented by the Minister of Energy and Water and President of the Board of Trustees of Saint Joseph University in Beirut Joe Saddi. Attendees were official figures, His Beatitude the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, and the Superior General of the Jesuit Order worldwide Father Arturo Sosa Abascal, who came to Lebanon with an accompanying delegation to participate in the celebrations. The Jubilee was also celebrated by the Regional Superior of the Jesuit Order for the Near East and the Maghreb Father Michael Zamit Mangion, His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio Paolo Borgia, as well as current and former Ministers and Deputies, Ambassadors, Bishops, official personalities, and the Jesuit family.
The celebration included speeches delivered by the University's Secretary General Professor Nadine Riachi Haddad, the University's President Professor Salim Daccache the Jesuit, His Beatitude Patriarch Al-Rai, Minister Joe Saddi, Father Michael Zamit Mangion, and Father Arturo Sosa Abascal. The speeches focused on the University's history, principles, roots, and the significance of its 150th Jubilee.
Representing the President of the Republic Minister Saddi read a message from His Excellency, and said: "On the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the Founding of Saint Joseph University in Beirut, today, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Father Salim Daccache, in appreciation of the contributions of the Jesuit University in the educational, academic, and humanitarian fields, the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, has decided to award the University, represented by its President, Father Salim Daccache, the National Order of the Cedar, with the rank of Commander. I am honored to present it to you today on this distinguished occasion."
During the celebration gifts were offered to the guests of honor and a book documenting the history and heritage of the University, prepared by Dr. Christian Taoutel, was distributed to each of the participants. The celebration concluded with a dinner to which the attendees were invited.