# Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac witnesses centenary of Carmelite Fathers in Egypt

The celebration at the Basilica of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus marked 100 years of the order's presence in the country, the Catholic Church in Egypt said.

![A large Basilica dome with a cross atop a building, overlooking the cityscape of Shubra.](https://coptic-news.com/2026/10/patriarch-anba-ibrahim-isaac-witnesses-centenary-of-carmelite-fathers-in/patriarch-anba-ibrahim-isaac-witnesses-centenary-of-carmelite-fathers-in.jpg)

Illustration: Coptic News

By the Church Desk of Coptic News.

- Published: 22 October 2026, 19:04 New York time (2026-10-22T23:04:50+00:00)

Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac, Patriarch of Alexandria of the Coptic Catholics and President of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Egypt, witnessed the centenary celebration of the Carmelite Fathers' presence in Egypt at the Basilica of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus in Shubra, the Catholic Church in Egypt said on 26 September 2026.

The Patriarch indicated that celebrating 100 years of the Carmelite Order's presence in Egypt is an occasion for thanksgiving, reflection on the future, and celebrating God's grace, spiritual fruits, and missionary service within the Catholic Church in Egypt. He spoke of his personal connection to the Carmel since his seminary formation years, where he had mentors from the Carmelite Fathers. The Patriarch also noted that spiritual reading, including the lives of saints like Saint Thérèse, was important in his formative journey and shaped his spiritual life.

Archbishop Nicolas Henry, the Papal Nuncio to Egypt, said the shrine of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus is an important shrine in Egypt and stated her intercession extends to everyone. The Papal Nuncio cited Saint Thérèse of Avila, saying that she found God at the time she lost herself, and explained that the Church is a space for self-discovery through a relationship with God.

Patriarch Anba Ibrahim Isaac offered congratulations to the Carmelite Fathers on behalf of the Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops and the metropolitans of the Catholic Church in Egypt, the church said. The celebration included a speech by Father Zakaria Harbi, the General Delegate of the Carmelite Order in Egypt, and Coptic melodies led by the Basilica deacons.

## Sources

1. [غبطة البطريرك الأنبا إبراهيم إسحق يشهد احتفالية مائة عام على حضور الآباء الكرمليين بمصر](<https://catholic-eg.com/%d8%ba%d8%a8%d8%b7%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%b7%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%b1%d9%83-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%86%d8%a8%d8%a7-%d8%a5%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%87%d9%8a%d9%85-%d8%a5%d8%b3%d8%ad%d9%82-%d9%8a%d8%b4%d9%87-13/>), Catholic Church in Egypt. Published 2026-09-26. Accessed 2026-10-17.

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