The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Aleppo has long been associated with education, social service, and humanitarian work. Now, after 112 years of ministry, the sisters will close their convent and depart the city, marking the end of an important chapter in the cityʼs history.
As news of the sisters’ departure has spread, questions have arisen about why they are leaving and who made the decision. Sister Pierrette Jabbour, the congregationʼs regional councilor for the Middle East, told ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, that the decision was not related to political or security concerns — instead, it was made during the congregationʼs regional chapter in 2018.
She explained that the reasons are entirely internal and reflect the declining number of sisters, their increasing average age, and the shortage of new religious vocations. Similar restructuring is also taking place in convents in Egypt and Lebanon.
According to the congregationʼs regulations, each religious community must have at least four sisters.
Last May, the Salesians announced that they would assume responsibility for the Franciscan convent. However, the news received little public attention until a Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated to mark the conclusion of the sisters’ ministry.
In a recorded message, Bishop Hanna Jallouf, apostolic vicar of Latin-rite Catholics in Syria, explained that the congregation has been reorganizing its presence in the country for more than five years.
He said the sisters decided to strengthen their presence in the northeastern province of Hasakah, where they are the only Catholic womenʼs religious congregation serving the area. They also chose to reinforce their ministry in Damascus, while Aleppo is already home to several menʼs and womenʼs religious communities. For these reasons, and in coordination with the Holy See, the Salesian Fathers will continue the Franciscan Sisters’ mission at the convent.
Jallouf also dismissed rumors linking the sisters’ departure to French President Emmanuel Macronʼs recent visit to Syria.
The Rev. Ibrahim Nasir, president of the National Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon, described the farewell as both a solemn and grateful moment. He said the departure of this historic mission represents a significant loss for Aleppo and for its Christian presence.“ Every institution that closes and every religious community that leaves creates a gap that is difficult to fill,” he said.
Nasir also stressed that the sisters’ departure cannot be separated from the wider challenges facing Christians in Syria, especially in Aleppo, where declining numbers, continued emigration, and the closure of many educational and pastoral institutions remain serious concerns.
A legacy of service
The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary first arrived in Aleppo in 1914 at the invitation of the cityʼs Maronite bishop. They established the Our Lady of Lourdes Center near the Maronite cathedral.
Although they were forced to leave during the World War I, they returned in 1919 and resumed their mission despite widespread poverty and hardship.
They first opened a school in the Aziziyah district before establishing the Franciscan Convent and School in the Sabil neighborhood in 1929. Over the years, the school became one of Aleppoʼs leading educational institutions.
The sisters combined education with the care of orphans, assistance to the poor, and support for refugees, helping form generations of students from different religious and social backgrounds.
The convent also became a center for girls’ scouting activities and a place that encouraged friendship and coexistence between Christians and Muslims.
Besides education, the sisters played an important humanitarian and medical role in the city.
They also managed the Sheibani Orphanage, which cared for children orphaned during the Ottoman massacres. They also administered Al Razi Hospital for many decades, helping improve medical services and reduce mortality rates.
After the school was nationalized in 1967, the sisters continued their pastoral and social ministry through catechism, childrenʼs programs, ministry to university students, and by hosting Church groups and associations. They also served in the Jabal al Sayyideh, also known as Sheikh Maqsoud, neighborhood, where they dedicated themselves to pastoral ministry, Christian formation, and helping combat unemployment by teaching practical vocational skills.
This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
