--- An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association March 18 – Our Lady of Ajaccio (Corsica, France) - Saint Cyril of Jerusalem Mercy, the same one that the Virgin Mary celebrated in the Magnificat Saint John Paul II said that ''Lebanon is more than a country -- it is a message.'' What message was he talking about? For me, first of all, it is a message of mercy, the same mercy that the Virgin Mary sings about in the Magnificat. This message is needed more than ever, as the situation of our Muslim and Christian brethren has deteriorated in many places. It is vital that at your school, dear brothers and sisters, dear Lebanese friends, we reclaim this term of "mercy," whose roots are as deep as those of the cedar, in order to spread out our branches harmoniously towards each other! Thus, nourished and strengthened by the sap of mercy, we will grow to heaven! I like to point out that two of Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels can be put side by side. On the one side Jesus said: "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48), and in Luke: "Be merciful as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36). We can probably assume that it is mercy that bears the seal of spiritual perfection. His Eminence Philippe Barbarin, Cardinal, Archbishop of Lyons, France Islamo-Christian Meeting of Jamhour, Lebanon, April 11, 2015 fr.zenit.org His Eminence Philippe Barbarin Cardinal, Archbishop of Lyon Primate of the Gauls Wikipedia www.mariedenazareth.com Let’s pray together  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.