Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) extends its congratulations to the new Superior General, Most Reverend Abbot Edmond Rizk, and Governing Council of the Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary (OMM), Abbot Pierre Najem as Vicar General and First Assistant General, Reverend Jihad Younes as Second Assistant General, Reverend Jean Moroun El Hachem as Third Assistant General, and Reverend Samir Ghsoub as Fourth Assistant General. This election additionally render them the new Supreme Council of the University.
Established in 1695 in the Qadisha Valley in North Lebanon, the OMM expanded to have different monasteries and centers across the nation, and became a source of cultural and educational growth in the country. NDU owes its establishment, its values, and its mission to the Order, the patron of the University, which has been instrumental in developing NDU’s spirit as a Catholic institution of higher education.
Superior General Abbot Rizk has played several pivotal roles and occupied various positions within the OMM, most recently serving as the Order’s Vicar General. Born on March 1, 1976, the Reverend entered the Monastery of Mar Doumit, Faytroun, in 1988, became a novitiate at the Monastery of Saints Sarkis and Bacchus, Achkout, in 1994, and made his life profession at the Monastery of Saint Anthony the Great, Rome, in 2000. He was ordained a priest on July 20, 2002—exactly 21 years ago to the day.
Abbot Rizk pursued his studies in philosophy and theology, first at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) and later at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, obtaining his degree in Mariology from the Marianum institute, Rome, in 2003. The Superior General then specialized in biblical theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, in 2005, acquired his degree in theology from USEK’s Pontifical School of Theology in 2011, and received his degree in Eastern law from Sagesse University in 2016. Currently, Abbot Rizk is a PhD candidate at the Lateran University, working on his dissertation titled, “L’Aspect juridique spirituel de l'association: confrérie appellée Congrégation Mariale au Liban.”
We pray that the Supreme Council are blessed in their new duties, guided by the Holy Spirit as messengers of Christ and his Holy Church, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.