The Mar Mansour church, just south of Beirut’s Martyr’s Square, is boarded up and locked year round.

The building was heavily damage during Lebanon’s civil war. Its exterior is pockmarked with bullet holes. Sections have been knocked out. Its interior has been stripped.

But for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Lebanon, this building represents hope. The organization is trying to raise funds to rehabilitate it. And this year, one week before Easter, they unlocked the gate, brought in lights, set up some chairs, and held a prayer service.