Introduction to the Monastery

The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary were founded in 1877 by Blessed Mary of the Passion. It is an international monastic institution dedicated to the global mission through contemplation and apostolic work in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi. Following his example, we are determined to live the Gospel in the world in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus through simplicity, humility, and joy.

We have 5047 sisters from 78 different nationalities spread across 73 countries worldwide, all striving towards a comprehensive mission.

Today, we are in a transitional phase in the monastery, a phase of renewal that calls us to a new vision of the reality of the mission and the needs of the world, and to respond to them according to our abilities and resources.

Since the General Chapter in 2014, the monastery has begun a journey of deep spiritual uniqueness to let the spirit guide us towards a new future.

After seven years of the chapter journey, we have begun to make decisions for change to unify our capacities and resources: Regions are now gathering into Provinces.

The Middle East Region has become the “Membre” Province, consisting of 4 regions – Senegal, Burkina Faso, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Arrival of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary to Aleppo

The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary arrived to Aleppo in 1914, at the request of Maronite Archbishop Michael Akhrass, to take care of managing the school, nursing, and the elderly shelter. In 1919, they opened a second convent, the Sacred Heart House in Al-Aziziyeh, at the request of the regional president of the Franciscan frères, Father Serafinoshino.

Between 1922 and 1932, the sisters opened the Saint Odile Orphanage in Al-Shebani for Armenian children, where they taught embroidery, knitting, and weaving to create carpets.

Between 1926 and 1932, land was purchased on As-Sabil Street and the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Institute was built to accommodate the increasing number of students.

In 1934, the sisters opened the Slanfah convent to welcome children during the summer break.

In the field of nursing, the sisters took over the management of the community hospital from 1926 until 1938, when the nursing departments were transferred to Al-Razi Hospital. At the request of the hospital administration, the sisters managed the departments until 1974.

From 1969 to 1972, the late Catholic Bishop Neophytos Idlibi of Aleppo requested a group of nuns to prepare a solid base for a complete parish core in Saydeh Mountain – Sheikh Maqsoud.

After the nationalization of schools in 1967, the work of the nuns shifted towards pastoral assistance, guiding apostolic movements, Christian formation, teaching musical instruments, opening a nursery for the children, a house for university students, working with people with people with special needs, and offering cooking and sewing courses.

The nationalization of schools was considered a significant milestone, and we dealt with it according to our spirituality: God speaks to us through the signs of the times, so we monitor the needs of an evolving world, and the calls and necessities of the universal and local church, so that we can meet them according to our spiritual talents.

This led to a change in their perspective and a new vision of the reality of the country and the needs of the people for whom they dedicated their lives, through a deep spiritual uniqueness, where the spirit led them to a new pattern of mission.

Today, as in the past, we live in a community with 4 nuns from 3 different nationalities (Syrian, French, Lebanese) who continue the mission despite the difficult circumstances, in solidarity with the people for whom we were sent, and with the local churches, offering our resources in service to those in need without discrimination.

The convent opens its doors and extensive garden to host various groups such as scouts, prayer groups, apostolic teams, providing them with various activities, or seeking silence and tranquillity. The convent also welcomes various charitable organizations to hold training and development courses, such as the Red Crescent and Syrian Society for Social Development.

The convent is open to everyone, and this is part of our inclusive mission: we are for everyone, with everyone, for the good of humanity and every individual.

Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, the monastery has welcomed two projects from the Jesuit Refugee Services: a kitchen that provides thousands of meals per hour to those in need, and a vocational training centre for women to learn a trade and earn a living, supporting six displaced families who stayed at the monastery for about six years.

During the earthquake in 6/2/2023, the monastery accommodated 150 people for two months.

Projects in the monastery include:

– Saint Francis Centre for hosting groups

– La Source Centre for children with autism

– Residence for university students

– Women’s vocational training centre

– Organizing psychological support courses for families, women, and youth

– Psychological support and recreational activities for the monastery workers

Pastoral work includes:

– Psychological and spiritual accompaniment for women, families, and youth

– Accompaniment for young women in distinguishing their calling

– Accompaniment with Mary’s Youth group

– Accompaniment for the Christian Life Community (CVX)

We believe that our testimonies of contemplative and fraternal life are our primary mission in this large monastery. Therefore, our daily life is divided between communal and individual prayer, and serving within or outside the monastery.

The Eucharist is the centre of our life… from it, our community nourishes and grows… and from it, our mission flows.

The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary