Sisters of the Cross – Bchhele

History of the house:

The presence of the Congregation in Bcheele dates back to before 1977, date of the founding of the present house. It is a donation from the parents of Sister Lilia Marie Al-Achi with all the goods they owned. The Sisters provided services to this village in the field of education, when the free private school was under the Maronite Patriarchate. When this school became official, the Sisters, at the request of the Parish Financial Council, continued to take care of the nursery classes which were outside the scope of the concerns of the State. Similarly, several sessions in embroidery, sewing and flower arrangement were organized for women and young girls. And for several years, the Sisters also took care of teaching catechesis, and the celebration of the first communion, and spiritual activities in the nearby villages. 

Currently:

After teachers were appointed to teach catechism in the villages, and the Congregation suffered from a lack of vocations, the decision was then to leave the house in 2008. However, the Sisters with temporary vows continue to come there to complete the formation in the summer.

In 2018, the Congregation has begun restoration work, especially as the house, being collapsed over the years, was in need of renovation. Inside, at the first and second floors, it has been transformed into a house of prayer and rest.