God, please afford Cardinal Rai safe travel and good health as he arrives at Rome and takes up his responsibilities there. Amen
(Rai is my “adopt-a-cardinal”, and is one of the late arrivers to Rome.)
You were assigned an awesome man of God with a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. His name “Bechara,” means “Annunciation” in Arabic. When he was elected Patriarch, he chose to be installed on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, pointing out that it was instituted in 2010 as a national holiday in Lebanon and because it is holy to Christians and Muslims. The patriarch also noted the special meaning of the Annunciation for him personally, as he was baptized on the feast at the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation in the village of Chouya, Lebanon. He is much loved and respected by the Maronite clergy.
An interesting fact. Bechara Cardinal Rai is the 77th Patriarch of the Maronite Church. The 2/3 vote tally needed to elect the next pontiff is ... 77. Here are 2 videos from his elevation to cardinal at the "surprise" November consistory.
Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, warrior for peace in the Middle East
His Beatitude Mar Bechara Boutros Rai- Cardinal
He is my Patriarch!