Pope felicitates Egyptian nun's congregation

(Jan. 09, 2013) Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his spiritual nearness and prayers to the Congregation of the Egyptian Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Alexandria, Egypt, for the centenary of their foundation. The Pope’s wishes were conveyed by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the Prefect of Vatican’s Congregation for Oriental Churches. The prelate, who is on a visit to Egypt Jan 6-11 expressed his joy to celebrate the Divine liturgy or Mass in the Coptic-rite for the nuns on Tuesday.
In his homily, Cardinal Sandri praised the Congregation for its 100 year presence and zealous apostolate to the people, including Christians and Muslims, without any discrimination. He said the Congregation’s centenary celebration take place while the Universal Church is celebrating the Year of Faith, and this coincidence makes us understand that no work of charity could last long without the continued support of the Faith.
Noting that the society of today is different from that of a century ago, Cardinal Sandri exhorted the nuns to welcome the Lord today as in the past, in all the poor and needy they meet on the streets of the world with the same dedication and commitment.
Later on Tuesday, Cardinal Sandri met Pope Tawadros II, the new Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, in a monastery outside Cairo.