The Sisters of Good Help convent in Lebanon has become a sanctuary for over 800 individuals displaced by recent bombings, offering both shelter and solace to those affected. According to Aid to the Church in Need, the convent is providing vital support to refugees, with the 15 Greek-Melkite Catholic nuns at the convent prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable in the wake of escalating violence.

The sisters, whose convent has historically fostered interfaith ties, have welcomed hundreds of Lebanese Muslims seeking refuge. "On the first night of the bombing, dozens of people came running to take refuge with us," shared Mother Joselyne Joumaa, the congregation’s superior general. “In just 12 days, we have received more than 800 refugees.”

Faced with limited resources, the nuns expressed that they are now overwhelmed and unable to accommodate additional refugees. Yet, the bonds they’ve built through years of interfaith work continue to shine, as evidenced by the trust the Muslim community places in the sisters. As one refugee noted, “It’s your cross that will protect us.”

The sisters provide daily meals and distribute humanitarian aid with the assistance of the refugees themselves. Men help with essential tasks, such as preparing firewood and handling deliveries, while women join the nuns in meal preparations. The sisters also make time to comfort those struggling with the uncertainty of their future, listening to their worries and offering words of hope.

Mother Joselyne highlighted how their shared reverence for the Virgin Mary, honored in both Catholic and Islamic traditions, creates a unique bond between the convent and its Muslim guests. “When parents cannot soothe their children amid the bombing, it’s the sisters who take them in their arms, assuring them that they are safe because they are in the house of God,” she said.

In an effort to restore a sense of normalcy for children, the sisters organize group activities, play sessions, and times for reflection in the convent’s chapel, where refugees can experience peace amidst the chaos.

The sisters humbly request the prayers of the global community. “Thinking about tomorrow can weigh on us,” Mother Joselyne noted, “but we remain faithful to our mission.”