Extraordinary Women: Sisters in Syria
My name is Samia Jriej. I live in Homs, Syria, a city that has been devastated by eight years of war, this is the reason why many families have lost hope.
Despite the devastation that surrounds us in this city, there is a lot we can rebuild again. I’m a religious Sister, our mission is to look for the ones most in need. I’m director of Le Seneve, a school for mentally handicapped children. I also teach youngsters how to live as Christians in the church. I also try to make them feel again that God is present in their lives, and with God and prayer we can go through these difficult times. At the beginning of my vocation, I wanted to be a Sister and have a spiritual life. War has put me through a tough test. Prayer is the most important part of our day because we take care of our people and this represents God’s love on earth.
We thank ACN for all their help and support. Extraordinary women. Thanks to God. Thanks to you.
REFLECT
In times of war, it is hard to look after others when you are trying to survive yourself. This makes Sister Samia and her Saint Coeur Sisters who serve Christ in Syria all the more incredible!
1. If your homeland was at war, do you think your prayer life would improve or disintegrate?
“With God and prayer we can get though these difficult times in Syria.”
2. What difficult times are you dealing with? How can you rely on God to get you through?
“Because we take care of our people and this represents God’s love on earth.”
3. Think of a time of trial in your life. Were you able to look around and see how you could care for others despite needing care yourself?
PRAYER
God of Compassion,
Hear the cries of the people of Syria,
Comfort those who suffer violence,
Console those who mourn the dead,
Give strength to Syria’s neighbouring countries to
welcome the refugees,
Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,
And protect those who are committed to peace.
God of hope,
Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence and to
seek reconciliation with their enemies,
Inflame the Universal Church with compassion for the
people of Syria,
And give us hope for a future built on justice for all,
We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Prince of
Peace and Light of the world.
Amen.
Source: Prayer by Maronite Archbishop Samir Nassar of Damascus /Aid to the Church in Need UK
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