The annual meeting of the Holy Land Commissaries of the Italian language Conference began this morning at St. Joseph Convent in Cairo, Egypt. "Egypt: crossroads of faith, dialogue and Franciscan presence" is the title of the three day gathering, which represents an important opportunity for encounter, communion and discernment, renewing the commitment of the commissaries, vice commissaries and their collaborators in the service of the Christian communities of the Middle East. The participants were welcomed by the Province of the Holy Family of Egypt, represented by the provincial minister, Fr. Filippo Faragalla.
The opening meeting was attended by the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, who expressed his gratitude for the choice of Egypt as the venue for the meeting. "I am grateful to the commissaries for choosing Egypt for their congress, Fr. Ielpo said. This is the Holy Land, it is the land of the escape of the Holy Family, a land that recalls the origins of Christianity and beyond".
Alongside opportunities for discussion and work dedicated to the activities of the commissaries, the programme includes visits to several significant places in Cairo, including the Musky district, the Franciscan Centre for Christian Oriental Studies, Giza and the ancient city. This journey is part of the broader horizon of dialogue between cultures and religions, also recalling the experience of the encounter between St. Francis of Assisi and the Sultan. "These days are a concrete opportunity to revisit the encounter between Francis and the Sultan, through the experience of the Franciscans present in the land of Egypt", emphasized Fr. Matteo Brena, president of the Conference of Italian Commissaries.
Part of the group will continue their journey in Egypt by travelling to Sinai, where the programme includes the ascent of the mountain and a visit to St. Catherine's Monastery. It will be a further opportunity for reflection, formation and inner renewal, to deepen the spiritual roots of the Christian presence in this land.
