Beatification of Abouna Yaacoub

The Catholic Church is preparing for the beatification of a Lebanese professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins, born in Ghazir in the Lebanese hillside, Fr Jacques Haddad, or Abouna Yaacoub his name in Arabic, (born Khalil), (1875-1954), founder of the Congregation of
Franciscan Sisters of the Cross (1933) and of numerous hospitals, hospices, and schools. A man who worked tirelessly to help the poor and the sick, regardless of nationality or religion.

The ceremony of beatification will take place on June 22, at 10 a.m. in the Centre Ville of Beirut, in Martyrs' Square. It will be presided over by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and will be concelebrated by Maronite patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir. At noon, bells will ring at all the churches of Beirut to greet the event.