We recently got some encouraging news from Cairo, Egypt, where two seminaries CNEWA is helping support are continuing to produce new priests.
At the Franciscan Oriental Seminary in Giza, two men took perpetual vows in February. Brothers Ashraf (Augustino) Hanna Gayed and Ra’afat (Charbel) Kamel Wehish were also ordained to the diaconate in May, and are scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood next month.
The school boasts a total of 14 seminarians. During the summer break, some of the men will be going on a mission to the north of Sudan, Morocco and Kenya; others will visit the elderly and sick to provide medical and social services. Three of the men will travel to Italy to study Italian and Franciscan spirituality.
Meanwhile, in Ma’adi, at St. Leo the Great Coptic Catholic Seminary, two men were ordained to the priesthood in June.
St. Leo has 32 seminarians in Egypt, and two other men studying in Rome.
During the summer months, the men are being kept busy. Two seminarians are traveling to Poland this month for World Youth Day, and others will be involved in parishes for pastoral work. Two men are headed to Rome to continue their novitiate year.
Please keep these men in your prayers!