The European tertianship in Bikfaya is 28km north of Beirut in the mountains at 900 metres with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean. Built in 1833, it was the first house in Lebanon of the restored Society. 

Over the summer months, renovation was carried out to prepare for the thirteen tertians due to arrive last September: Philippines (3) India (2) Canada (2) and one from the U.S. Myanmar, Poland, Hungary, France and Germany. Because of the large numbers, Dany Younès the instructor, decided that the weekly group sharing would take place in three small groups. These groups served for liturgy and kitchen duties. An inspired decision!

From the outset, all was not plain sailing: one had his visa refused and another was not allowed board his flight because the airline staff could not decipher the Arabic on his Lebanese document! Finally, we were all aboard, but as a dispersed community.

A week after the 7th October attack on Israel, we had to re-assess the situation as day after day different  governments told their citizens to leave while commercial flights were still  available and as we heard reports of militants travelling into Lebanon from Iraq and Syria to join forces with Hezbollah. 

Thrown into uncertainty, how were we to embrace this new reality? Fr Dalibor Renic asked us to “save the programme” if at all possible. Political uncertainty not being conducive  to the retreat, the decision was taken to postpone it. After much talking among the group, Dany brought us all together to listen quietly to how each felt prompted to do in the tense and evolving situation. It was a sacred moment as we listened in silence as each one shared honestly what he felt drawn to do or indeed needed to do. 

So the experiments were brought forward, information was shared on possible places and decisions were made after speaking speaking with Dany and Charlie. 

Four opted to stay in Lebanon while the others chose experiments in Rome, Dublin, Kampala, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Wales. And shortly two will travel to Armenia after a strong plea from the Missionaries of Charity. As work on the personal autobiographies had only just begun, the work load of the experiment had to be limited to allow for time to reflect and write.  

For the past five weeks we have met weekly on zoom with the whole group as well as meeting in the small groups. Now on the cusp of Advent, we have to discern our way forward. Do we return to Bikfaya or not? Do we seek to do the retreat outside Lebanon in a country where all could obtain visas? And if so, for how long? 

Having heard the views of the group, we will each be seeking to guided by the Lord as we make our written input into the decision that will finally be taken by the instructors having consulted with the President of the European Provincials and Fr General’s delegate for formation.   

As Dany said before we dispersed: embracing the reality in which we find ourselves with all its uncertainties, but also unexpected blessings, is our way of seeking and finding God this tertianship.