Naming of Khalil Mitri Assha Hall at Hôtel-Dieu de France

Ferial Mitri Assha once again demonstrated an extraordinary ability to turn pain into generosity and transform absence into a celebration of friendship, brotherhood, and hope. On April 27, 2023, Ferial gathered friends of her late brother, Khalil Mitri Assha, along with officials from USJ and HDF, for a momentous event at the Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital. The occasion marked the naming ceremony of the HDF lobby, now proudly bearing the name of Khalil Mitri Assha.

According to Cynthia-Maria Ghobril Andrea, Director of the Fondation USJ, Ferial Assha’s unwavering dedication to USJ and its teaching hospital has resulted in significant contributions since 2018. In honor of her father, Mitri Assha, and her mother, Jacqueline Kassir Assha, Ferial established two Scholarship Funds. She also made a testamentary trust in her name and, most recently, orchestrated the Naming ceremony for her beloved brother.

Ghobril Andrea went on to express her admiration, stating, “This remarkable act of love and solidarity towards our community creates a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations. It also provides support to the HDF Social Solidarity Fund, which aims to assist financially disadvantaged patients, including those without access to Social Security or private insurance.”

While Ferial is an inspiration to all and a role model for USJ Alumni who wish to demonstrate their gratitude and loyalty to their alma mater, Khalil incarnates, according to Zeina Saleh, his close friend since their days at Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour and at USJ’s Faculty of Law and Political Science, “the very essence of true friendship […] sacred, unconditional, and eternal.”

Reflecting on their 50-year friendship spanning from Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour to HEC in Paris and 25 years as work partners, Nadim Chammas directly addressed Khalil, expressing his profound realization after Khalil’s departure. “I discovered the immeasurable strength of true brotherhood,” he revealed. “I now understand that the connection between you and Ferial is a chosen destiny, a mutual commitment that binds you both and, even more beautifully, extends toward others.”

“I know, Khalil, that your spirit will always reside within this lobby of Hôtel-Dieu. When men and women enter, they will be embraced by your caring soul, just as you did during your lifetime—easing their pain and suffering, and alleviating the anguish of parting. A hospital is a place of both birth and rebirth, I am certain that your unforgettable gaze will forever accompany those who emerge,” concludes Nadim Chammas.

Recalling Ferial’s heartfelt words, where she expressed the pain of letting go when Khalil passed away on March 3, 2021, Prof. Salim Daccache s.j., Rector of USJ and Chairman of the HDF Board of Directors, contemplated the ease with which a loved one can depart from our lives. However, he affirmed that the hope and wisdom of our faith, testaments of resurrection after death, serve as a resolute defense against life’s existential deceit. Daccache further reflected, “Through the paschal mystery, Christ resurrected Khalil, a man of noble soul who embodied true humility, remarkable discretion, and astonishing generosity. His name shall forever be remembered in heaven, just as it will be in the HDF lobby.”

The gathering embraced a moment of prayer, led by the Rector, who recited a prayer to Notre Dame de Lourdes written by Abbé Henri Perreyve. Carmel Ghafari Wakim, former Secretary General of the Fondation USJ, followed with a prayer by Saint Ambrose. In a poignant gesture, Ferial Assha expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Eliane Nasser Ayoub, Samia Madi Gebara, and Georges Khayat for their extraordinary compassion and unwavering patience in caring for Khalil.

In a moving tribute, Ferial presented a collection of poignant photographs capturing Khalil’s essence, accompanied by the reading of a heartfelt homily written by Saint Ambrose to commemorate his untimely passing. Daccache bestowed his blessings upon the four meticulously crafted plaques gracing the HDF lobby, illustrating the deep bond shared by the Assha family and the USJ family, masterfully brought to life by architect Joseph Maroun.

Maroun sheds light on the upcoming lobby renovation, emphasizing the prominent use of travertine as the primary material. He highlights its significance, stating, “Given Khalil’s lifelong dedication to USJ, it is only fitting that the material chosen for his commemorative plaques harmonizes seamlessly with the entire lobby. Instead of being fixed onto the walls, these plaques find their rightful place on the lobby’s supporting columns, symbolizing the unwavering support Khalil and Ferial have shown to USJ and HDF throughout their lives.” Maroun further reveals that the meticulously crafted plaques are proportioned according to the golden ratio, also known as the “divine proportions,” expertly mirroring the essence of Khalil’s golden heart.

The naming ceremony, permeated with grace, concluded with a deeply moving concert at Beit Tabaris, where Georges Daccache and Mario Rahi paid homage to the timeless legacy of Khalil Assha.