Delegations from Switzerland, Greece, France, and Germany were welcomed by the Hungarian chapter under the leadership of the Lieutenant General of the Order in Hungary, H.E. Ambassador Georges Suha, whom we warmly thank. With the help and effective collaboration of the Grand Chancellor of the Order H.E. Michel Hadjimanolis, Emeritus Consul General, the event was organized and once again stood out due to the mobilization led, particularly within the Greek Chapter with a delegation of over 20 people. Year after year, the congress remains the major event of the Order, demonstrating the growth and vitality of our institution.
On this occasion, 12 Knights and Dames took the oath.
Arrival of delegates in Budapest / transfer to the hotel with the help of the Hungarian Chapter organizers under the supervision of Lieutenant General Georges SUHA.
19:00: Welcome dinner offered by the Hungarian Chapter at a prestigious restaurant serving traditional Hungarian cuisine.
October 28, Friday
10:00: In the morning, the Headquarters of the Sovereign Council of the Order of Saint Gabriel, led by H.E. Roland de Boutechoux de Chavanes, Grand Master of the Order of Saint Gabriel, met in a courtesy visit with the President of the Legal Commission of the National Assembly, H.E. Dr. Imre VEJKEY at the National Parliament.
KDNP portfolios within the government cover humanitarian cooperation with all national and international actors.
H.E. Ambassador Jürg Staübli, Constable of the Order, raised several questions regarding potential cooperation between Hungarian authorities and the Order of Saint Gabriel. The Grand Master of the Order suggested that the Hungarian chapter of the OSG establish close ties with competent authorities as well as with the Parliamentary Prayer Group, which could serve as a neutral but effective platform for joint humanitarian actions.
The Hungarian section, under the authority of Lieutenant General H.E. Georges Suha, Legate of the Order for Central Europe, is also responsible for formulating a regional expansion strategy in the Balkan countries and the V4.
H.E. Ambassador Jürg Staübli, Constable of the Order ♦ H.E. Dr. Imre VEJKEY, President of the Parliamentary Justice Commission
H.E. Roland de Boutechoux de Chavanes, Grand Master of the Order ♦ H.E. Dr. Michel Hadjimanolis, Grand Chancellor of the Order
H.E. Consul Jean-Pierre Tromeur, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of South Africa in France
H.E. Ambassador Georges Suha, Lieutenant General of the Order in Hungary
13:00: Working lunch buffet at the hotel.
14:00 – 18:00: International Congress of the Order:
• 14:00 – 15:00 Meeting of the Magistral Council
• 15:15 – 17:00 Meeting of the Sovereign Council
It was also the opportunity to hear from the Constable of the Order, H.E. Ambassador Jürg Staübli, about recent actions undertaken by our Institution.
The Constable expressed his joy at seeing everyone again after two years of pandemic-related restrictions. He also thanked for the excellent organization of this year’s congress of our Order.
Although we were unable to meet during 2020 and 2021, our Order continued its charitable works as much as possible.
As President of the Donations Commission, he informed the audience about activities organized by the International Association of Saint Gabriel Hospital Works.
2020
As part of continuing projects supported since 2014, we supported, in collaboration with the Petram Foundation, the “RAKHI FOUNDATION” active in India for opening a training center for adolescents. The goal was to teach them a trade such as plumbing, electrical work, IT, and especially to teach them English, essential for securing decent employment.
We also contributed €15,000 for the renovation of three buildings and the purchase of training equipment, as well as several dozen goats to allow mothers to generate income and support their children’s schooling.
2021 – 2022
In collaboration with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, the Petram Foundation, ACI Group, CPME du Rhône, and XXLGroup, we participated in the operation “Support for Christian Children in Lebanon” organized by the Saint Gabriel Hospital Works Association in France.
The total budget was €50,000.
This project supported St. Joseph College of Mechreff, managed by the Sisters of Carmel Saint-Joseph, providing the necessary educational and extracurricular materials, as well as food and clothing, shipped in dozens of pallets from France. Additionally, photovoltaic systems were installed by the company SUNGY to electrify part of the Carmel buildings. Completing full electrification will require an additional investment of approximately €150,000.
The Constable thanks the brothers and sisters of the French Chapter for this initiative, in which the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region was particularly involved.
Also, during 2021, the Petram Foundation and Carifor Charity Trust implemented a large-scale distribution program of fabric masks for children and adults, disposable masks, disinfectants, and wipes. Beneficiaries were vulnerable individuals and families throughout Switzerland. The total budget was 35,000 CHF.
2022
This year, the Swiss Association of Hospital Works organized a major operation for the people of Burkina Faso, whom our Constable holds particularly dear.
Unfortunately, Burkina Faso regularly faces violent and deadly terrorist attacks. As a result, about 1.5 million refugees from border regions are displaced within the country.
As is often the case, the most vulnerable, especially women and children, pay the highest price.
The operation delivered:
• 371 various furniture items (cabinets, shelves, chairs, tables, etc.);
• 146 children’s toys (puzzles, board games, small bikes, etc.);
• 80 boxes of dishware for the School of Culinary Arts in Ouagadougou;
• 62 boxes of tools for the Juvenile Reintegration Education Center;
• A vocational training center for delinquent minors in Bobo Dioulasso;
• 48 bags of children’s clothing;
• 3,072 boxes of books.
To accomplish this large-scale operation, Payot Bookstores donated the books, MSC Foundation (the world’s largest shipowner) covered transportation, and Isabelle Chevalley, former Swiss MP, who spends six months a year in Burkina Faso, ensured local distribution.
Anthony with his team
We sincerely thank our brother Anthony, responsible for coordinating this project, and our partners, without whom this operation could not have been successfully carried out.
To conclude
The State of the Order’s actions. Ambassador JÜRG STAÜBLI notes that difficulties over the past three years have made them challenging and full of uncertainties. Despite this environment, the Order of Saint Gabriel works, to the extent possible, in favor of those we are committed to: “Mother and Child.”
We can certainly do more, and we will. Thank you all for supporting our Order so that it may benefit the most disadvantaged.
To conclude, the Constable ended with a quotation from the late Sister Emmanuelle, whom we hold particularly dear.
17:15 – 18:00: Uniform and coat dressing.
18:15: Official Ceremony: Installation of the main Officers of the Hungarian Chapter and Knighting of new Knights and Dames of Honor.
20:30: Gala reception with guests from the accredited Diplomatic and Consular Corps in Hungary / Press.
October 29, Saturday
10:00: Departure for the historic Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region by bus.
12:30: Arrival in Tállya – (Small village in northeastern Hungary, cultural landscape listed as UNESCO World Heritage, considered the birthplace of world-renowned Tokaji Aszú wine).
Farewells. Airport transfers according to flight departures.
