The Mediterranean Group gathered in Rome to pray, work and move forward together. From this meeting emerged a Lenten journey inspired by the monks of Tibhirine, as an invitation to peace, dialogue and a renewed openness to the Holy Spirit — at a time when Lent and Ramadan echo one another and challenge the ways in which we believe, live and view one another.
By Maher El Hage, priest and head of the Chemin Neuf Community in Lebanon
Encounters and availability. These are the two words that sum up our Mediterranean group meeting. For the second year running, we came together to pray, reflect and move forward together on this journey that began some four years ago. This meeting (the second in-person gathering since Cairo) took place from 15 to 18 February in Rome at the community house on Via Poliziano.
The main aim of this gathering was to create a Lenten journey that brings us closer to the spirituality of the seven monks of Tibhirine. Why this idea and this initiative? The year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of their death, as well as ten years since the Chemin Neuf community settled in this beautiful place. Is it a coincidence that the community has been called to live, pray and work in this very place? Surely the Lord, through our presence at the monastery of Notre-Dame de l’Atlas in Tibhirine, wishes to send a message to our community. Encouraged by the council, we have set about preparing this journey, to reflect on the message of the monks of Tibhirine and to share it more widely.
“Sometimes we make plans and prepare for things, but the Lord leads us to our destination in a different way, along different paths.”
Maher El Hage
But the Lord does not do things by halves. This year too (in many countries), Ramadan began on the same day as Ash Wednesday in the Roman Catholic Church. The monks had lived their whole lives in the monastery alongside their Muslim neighbours, who differed from them in their ways of thinking, living and reflecting… There was a deep friendship based on mutual respect. Can this relationship between neighbours and monks speak to us today? The writings of the monks of Tibhirine, and of the other blessed martyrs of Algeria, are very rich, and have nourished us deeply.
We have chosen to share a text and a prayer of intercession every day via four WhatsApp channels (French, English, Arabic and Italian), sometimes including a link for further reading. On occasion, we have included a historical video, a testimony, or images and works of art that speak to us, all relating to the monks and Tibhirine.
Our time in Rome was filled with encounters. First and foremost, there were the encounters amongst us, the members of the group, who live in five different countries (France, Lebanon, the Holy Land, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire): each with a different reality, a different culture and a different mission.
But also our visit to the beautiful city of Rome: its culture and traditions, our brothers and sisters serving there, and the Church, including a meeting at the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue…
The third encounter is with these monks, with their writings, with the messages they have passed on, and with the lives they have given. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13).
Over these past few days, we have been invited to be deeply open to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we plan and prepare things, but the Lord acts in a different way, taking other paths to lead us to our goal. The Holy Spirit had planned a meeting differently from how we had envisaged it: the meeting with the undersecretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. The meeting with him and his colleagues was very friendly, simply to get to know one another. They were surprised by the richness of each of our backgrounds, by the fact that there are many women among us (they are less accustomed to seeing women in interreligious dialogue), and were also very interested in the presence of our community in Tibhirine. An hour and a half of sharing, discussion and encouragement regarding what we do in general, but also an invitation to spread the message of the monks of Tibhirine far and wide.
We concluded this working session with a Mass at Saint-Pierre. We entrusted our community, our countries, our group and this journey to the Holy Spirit, asking above all for the grace to be open to His will.
From right to left (Thomas, Marie-Laure, Marie-Farouza, Gisèle, Maher et Clémence)
This is the beginning of the journey: the monks and all the martyrs of Algeria can teach us about brotherhood, prayer, reaching out to others, and disarmament… Let us open our ears, our eyes and our hearts to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us and through us.
Feedback on the Lent/Ramadan 2026 programme
“This Lenten/Ramadan journey has been a profound source of support for me during this time of war in Lebanon. It has helped me to view Muslims with greater compassion, gradually letting go of the anger I had been harbouring within me. Through the witness of the monks of Tibhirine, their simplicity, their prayers and their concrete love for their neighbour, I have learnt to look beyond the fear and judgements of the moment. This journey invites me today to see in the other, who is different from me, a brother created in the image of God, and to choose peace, hope and encounter. An invitation to build bridges, even in the midst of war.” Manal
“When I meet a Muslim, my first instinct is to talk to them about Christianity and not to engage with their Muslim faith. This is perhaps due to the fear and pride that dwell in my heart. But through this journey, I have learnt that God is One and unites us despite our differences. What moved me most were the testimonies shared by everyone: Christians and Muslims alike. The prayers of intercession touched me deep in my heart and freed me from my stress, especially during the war. I now pray for peace in people’s hearts.” Bernadette
“Because of this parcours, i discovered a gem in our church! Very little have i known about the Tibhirine Brothers, but after watching the movie: Des Hommes et des Dieux, (that was suggested at the beginning of the parcours), I felt an immediate closeness and was struck by their faith and Love! Im enjoying all the passages and letters written by the Brothers. They are a lesson of humility, hospitality and specially fidelity towards their vocation.” Dona