From Aleppo, the Carmelite nuns call us to prayer and to show our hearts are close to the ‘simple and very poor Alawite people’, innocent victims of the revenge of the militiamen who remained loyal to the deposed president Bashar al-Assad. The failed attempt to overthrow the current regime has provoked a harsh repression by pro-government forces, which has caused more than 1000 civilian casualties, the displacement of thousands of families and damage to fundamental infrastructures.

Carmelite sisters, Aleppo

Sister Mary, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Charity of the East, is in constant contact with the Carmelite nuns of Aleppo and wanted to share their heartfelt testimony with us:

‘Monday 10 March 2025, first week of Lent.

Dearest Sisters, we are very touched to know that many of you are asking us for news.

The massacres that have taken place and continue to take place on the north-western coast of Syria, in the Alawite region, the place of origin of the former president’s family, are unspeakable.

It is a crime against humanity, a real genocide. How can the Alawite people, simple and very poor, be responsible for decades of rule by the Assad family? Astonishment, anger and terror reign everywhere in the Latakia region and are spreading throughout the country. Where will it end? No one will defend these poor people who have no money, no power and not even the possibility of defending themselves.

We implore you to pray and do everything you can to put an end to this massacre, unworthy of humanity! This morning we spoke to Sister Rima, Superior of the Apostolic Carmelites of St. Joseph in Latakia. She was crying on the phone. They have a student residence made up mostly of Alawite students.

The young women are crazed with grief after learning of the massacre of THEIR parents, brothers and sisters, friends… moreover, the city of Latakia has been without water and electricity for 5 days. Here too, the deprivations are multiplying. This tragedy has provoked reactions and demonstrations in the country itself that are degenerating very quickly, unfortunately into violence… and the government is not reacting. What is their fault in this drama?

In the Church, patriarchs and bishops have reacted firmly, asking the government to stop the massacre and to act for the good and the reconstruction of the whole country.

Our Latin bishop, Monsignor Jallouf, has been particularly helpful. And the different factions in the country (Druze, Kurds, Shiites, etc.) are also protesting, often defending the Alawites…

As is the case in times of catastrophe and revolution, the country is nevertheless witnessing beautiful things and heroic actions. For example, Sunni or Shiite families welcoming and protecting Alawite families.

Photos from ISPI: Institute for International Political Studies.

So, let us pray that the violence will stop and that the government will take its responsibilities to work for reconciliation, peace and the well-being of the country. And pray for the Christians, who are very worried, so that they won’t abandon their country, but remain confident ….

Thank you for your prayers and your affection… Happy Lent. Our Saviour Jesus Christ is and always will be victorious, for he gave his life out of love on the Cross.

The Carmelites of Aleppo

Message sent by Sister Mary S., Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Charity in the East

Carmelite Monastery

Cover photo source: ISPI, Institute for International Political Studies.