Franciscan Social Theatre is a perfect example of what Pope Francis is talking about when in Fratelli Tutti he says that Hope is Bold. With these words, the Pope invites us to open our hearts and minds, so as to look beyond “what is” to “what could be”. It is an embracing of the ideals found in the Gospel, which make life more beautiful and worthwhile.
Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., Friar Stefano Luca, OFM Cap. and Friar Elias Saoud, OFM Cap. hosted a Franciscan Social Theatre Facilitators Training from 1-13 May 2023 at the Capuchin Friary in Beirut, Lebanon for ten young Christians from Syria. The training offered a space where young participants could touch this boldness of hope, so that they might return to their country as missionary disciples, prepared to respond to the trauma caused by years of war and the more recent earthquake.
Social Theatre is a bold and creative response to trauma, especially trauma experienced by children. It does not fix suffering children but rather it keeps kids and adults from getting stuck in their trauma or withdrawing too far into themselves. Social Theatre works to keep them using their words and bodies to express their feelings and experiences.
Franciscan Social Theatre adds the dimension of spirituality. Each day we gather for Mass where, during the homily we explore how Jesus and his disciples or Paul and Barnabas interacted with others using the same or similar skills used in social theatre. Moving from the table of the Eucharist to the dining room table, we create a culture of care for the participants who share their own joys and struggles of faith and life in Aleppo & Damascus, where Christians account for only 10% of the population. In addition, we all made pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Harissa and the monastery of mar Charbel.
We are grateful for the Franciscan Friars Minor, Jesuit Relief Services & the Salesian Sisters of Aleppo, as well as the Sisters of Charity in Damascus for sending the participants who have now returned home and are working in initiating five Franciscan Social Theatre projects throughout Syria. We are also thankful to Friar-Bishop Cesar Essayan, Friar Piotr Kawa, and Friar Adrian Baciu who visited and were able to take part in some of our training activities, as well as the friars at St. Anthony Friary in Beirut for hosting our leadership team for Lebanese coffee on our free day.
If you are interested in learning more about Franciscan Social Theatre, you can view our video from our recent Project Ukraine with subtitles in English, Italian, and Ukrainian.
– friar Michael Lasky OFM Conv., General Delegate for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
