\u201cCaminos Lebanon\u201d: A Pilgrimage with Saints Through Lebanon\u2019s Sacred Trails The Jubilee Year 2025 bears the motto: Pilgrims of Hope. From every corner of the world, pilgrims are traveling to Rome to pass through the Holy Doors and rediscover the heart of the faith. Inspired by this spirit, Lebanon has launched Caminos Lebanon \u2014 a network of pilgrimage routes across lands once walked by saints like Sharbel and Rafqa, and even, in the southern hills, by Jesus Christ himself. At the heart of the initiative is Suzy El Hage, General coordinator of APL and concept creator of Caminos Lebanon. She noted, \u201cEvery human being is on a pilgrimage journey on this earth, walking to the Kingdom of Heaven. As a concept creator, I have always had this idea in mind. While the initiative highlights cultural, religious, spiritual and economic tourism, its deep significance lies in walking toward the Kingdom of Glory.\u201d Caminos Lebanon took shape through the efforts of key figures \u2014 including Father Abbot Khalil Alwan, president of the Association of Pilgrimages in Lebanon, and project manager Nour Farra Haddad. Since 2017, the vision matured and finally on March 28th, 2025, it was officially launched \u2014 blessed by the Maronite Patriarch and supported by the Lebanese government. Over ten themed routes now stretch across sacred mountains, monastic valleys, and remote villages, connecting shrines from north to south. Card. Patriarch B\u00e9chara Boutros Pierre Ra\u00ef, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, emphasized, “These are paths of faith, paths of spirituality, paths of prayer\u2014because they are filled with monasteries and churches. Those who walk them feel a deep inner peace. Because peace is born from faith, from prayer.” The Lebanese Minister of Tourism, Laura El-Khazen Lahoud, added, “We would like to encourage \u2018Caminos Lebanon\u2019 and encourage people from all over the world to come and discover the various different Lebanese trails. From any religion, it will be a beautiful project to follow.” On the day \u201cCaminos Lebanon\u201d was launched, two Israeli missiles struck Beirut\u2014fracturing a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah. A testimony to the difficult situation the country is experiencing. But neither fear nor bad weather the next day would stop \u201cRaya\u2019s Camino of Hope.\u201d The very next morning, in the foggy hills of Miziara, young people from a group called RAYA laced their boots, rang the bells, and launched Raya\u2019s Camino of Hope in relation to the Jubilee of Hope. RAYA, short for Rosary & Adoration, Youth Apostolate, takes its name from Raya \u2014 a young woman killed defending her dignity, in a story echoing that of Saint Maria Goretti, who rather chose death than losing her virginity and who even forgave her killer. After her brutal death, Raya appeared in a dream to Victoria Minaise, asking for a church, a pilgrimage, and a voice for the voiceless. Raya\u2019s Camino of Hope Team Member, Victoria Minaise, related the story: “There was a strong sun hitting my back telling me, I want the piece of land here and I want it from my mum. \u201cI want the pilgrimage and I want it only for the youth, and I want it for the girls who don’t have voices. I do want rosaries made out of hearts and I want them pink. This was an emphasis from her in the dream. I want the church to be built in the name of Maria, but she didn’t tell me Maria Goretti.” Marie Chidiac, Mother of Raya, also shared: “[Raya] passed away on 22 September 2017. Raya, 26 years old, born on 14 January 1991, was our eldest daughter. [She] appeared in the dreams of many people, asking for a church to be dedicated to Saint Maria Goretti. We didn\u2019t know about the saint before, and neither did Raya. But we later discovered that the story of the saint\u2019s life closely mirrors that of Raya.” Church authorities discerned the messages. The shrine was built exactly where Raya requested. The sanctuary \u2014 shaped like a rose and a candle \u2014 has become a place of grace. Moved by Raya\u2019s story, local Church authorities have begun gathering testimony for a possible cause of beatification. “What we went through after Raya\u2019s death was incredibly difficult,\u201d her mother shared. \u201cNone of us could move on easily. But it is not by our own strength that we have moved forward; it is through a higher divine power that continues to guide and sustain us in becoming who we are today.” In 2025, the Maronite Patriarch awarded RAYA\u2019s Youth an honorary shield \u2014 and chose Marie as the Face of Hope for the Jubilee Year. The youth pilgrimage begins at the Sanctuary of St. Maria Goretti and winds through seven sacred sites \u2014 including the chapel of Padre Pio, Saint Neemtallah, Our Lady of Miziara, and Saint Rita. At each stop, they pause to pray and ring the bells to mark their passage. Dona Maria is the designer of Raya\u2019s Camino of Hope. She explained, \u201cWhen I was drawing the maps for this Camino, I was thinking about a way to attract youth to walk this Camino. And, we chose seven churches. And actually, we were inspired by Saint Philip Neri. What we have here is a treasure, not only a Camino. We have 13 churches. We have youth that is willing to do anything for the Church.\u201d The youth added, \u201cIn Lebanon, we have a lot of gifts. And, it’s always our responsibility to show our beauty to the whole world, especially our holy Land. So, such a project is very important. Especially, we want the youth to experience this gift we have.\u201d What began centuries ago in Rome as the Seven Churches pilgrimage is now reborn in the hills of Lebanon\u2014led by a new generation of saints in RAYA\u2019s Camino of Hope. And across the country, each Camino carries its own saints, stories, and steps of hope. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE Adapted by Jacob Stein Journalists: Marguerita Kallassy, Alexey Gotovskiy, Producer: Alexey Gotovskiy, Special Thanks & Credits: Suzy El Hage, Drone Footage: Fr. Antonio Elfeghali Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp EWTN Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Pope Francis: Pray that the Gospel can be freely shared in China Pope Francis meets FSSP head, confirms right to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass LIVE from St. Peter Square | Regina Coeli with Pope Francis | May 21st, 2023 Pope Leo offers Lebanon a way to hope \u2018even when surrounded by the sound of weapons\u2019 Andrea Bocelli, Pharrell Williams to direct Vatican concert for human fraternity The Voices of the Synod on Synodality 2023<\/p>\n