Marrero: Celebrating Fr. George Hanna, SDB

By Br. Kevin White, SDB

(Marrero, LA – March 14) – On Tuesday, March 5, Fr. George Hanna, the eldest member of the Salesian community of Marrero, commemorated his 58th anniversary of priestly ordination. This was a few months after Fr. George celebrated his 90th birthday last November.

Fr. George was asked to share some of his reflections about this special day to the community. He reminisced on the day of his ordination 58 years ago. Fr. George shared that he was ordained a priest in Rome, Italy. Before then, Fr. George studied theology for four years in Italy. Prior to that, Fr. George was in practical training as a teacher in a Salesian school in Beirut, Lebanon, for three years.

During his reminisces, Fr. George noted that he saw his mother and brother for the first time in seven years at his ordination. The inability to see his immediate family for so long would foreshadow his life of sacrifice as a Salesian priest. Anyone who knows Fr. George knows that he sacrifices his time, energy, and gifts in the service of others and ultimately for the salvation of souls. The Salesian community of Marrero was privileged to have these moments to honor Fr. George and all he does for the people of the West Bank.