The Mission of the Sisters of Providence in Egypt
Today, according to Sister Hélène, the mission welcomes children with disabilities, students and even professors who have a hard time finding resources to support their profession. There are 11 young girls living in the house where they receive education, food and, the most important, love and tenderness from our sister, volunteers and Providence Associates who see “the human face of Providence in their own faces”.
Even if according to their Mission the Sisters of Providence have always been interested in caring for those in need, regardless of their country of birth and nationality, we can ask ourselves why or how they ended up in Egypt, in one of the farthest countries from the North of Africa, at about 8, 700 km of distance from the city of its original foundation, Montreal.
In the context of the Second Vatican Council, in the decree Ad Gentes, the congregation had already responded generously to the call to women religious to extend their missionary zeal to every person across the world. After establishing ministries in countries like Tunisia (1971-72) and Algeria (1972-1979) in the North of Africa, they finally arrived in the city of Cairo on April 4,1977.
Providence inspired Monseigneur Louis Souéha, vicar general of the Dicastery of El Minia who was studying at the time in the University of Montreal to meet with Sister Gilberte Villeneuve, the General Superior. He expressed the need of having hardworking and compassionate women like the Sisters of Providence back in his country. In December of 1976, after Bishop Ishak Ghattas, Bishop from El Minia, travelled to meet in person with the council, the new mission was approved. It was decided that four sisters, Marie-Marthe Brillant, Dolores Blanchet, Roland Boulet and Gisele Bourgeois would travel to the City of El Minia to work at the local hospital of El Mobarra. .
Aside from learning the Arabic language, the sisters had to adapt to a foreign culture where Christians and Catholics are not a majority. Their hard work and patience paid off, and they finally moved to Alexandria where a house to form and receive new vocations was founded. One of the first sisters to pronounce perpetual vows there in 1986, was Hélène Fahker, who continues to work hard there, even if the mission has now moved to the city of Agami.
Today, according to Sister Hélène, the mission welcomes children with disabilities, students and even professors who have a hard time finding resources to support their profession. There are 11 young girls living in the house where they receive education, food and, the most important, love and tenderness from our sister, volunteers and Providence Associates who see “the human face of Providence in their own faces”.
Sister Alba Letelier, our Congregational leader, spend 2 years in the mission in Egypt. There are also two young Egyptien Sisters that are answering the Call of Providence and following the path of Emilie Gamelin. One is missioning in Haiti and the other one in Montreal. What blessings Providence has given to our flourishing Mission in Egypt.
PIC Communication Office