From the First Simple Steps in Rod El Farag to an Educational Mission That Spanned a Century (1926–2026)
At the end of 1925, Fr. Michelangelo Rubino arrived in Cairo, carrying a great mission: to establish a Salesian presence in the Egyptian capital and open a new home that would bring Don Bosco’s mission to young people.
The beginning was simple, but the dream was great. On January 2, 1926, he received encouragement from Bishop Jules Girard to begin the project of establishing the Institute in the Rod El Farag district. A few weeks later, he inspected the land designated for construction alongside Fr. Carlo Gatti and engineer Limongelli. Then, on May 7, he received his official appointment to lead the mission.
The real adventure had begun! On November 7, 1926, the foundation stone of the Institute was laid in the presence of Italian Marshal Luigi Cadorna and Bishop Jules Girard. From that moment on, Fr. Rubino had to turn the dream into reality, securing the land and funding while overseeing construction work and administrative matters.
The task was far from easy. He faced numerous difficulties and worked for many long months almost entirely on his own, with limited resources and constant challenges. Yet, his faith in the mission and determination to make the project a success inspired him to keep moving forward.
In 1927, construction work began in earnest, and the Salesian community gradually grew as new confreres arrived. On January 28, 1928, the first three Salesians moved into the building, even though it was still unfinished, bringing life to the new home before its walls were complete!
On May 27, 1928, the Institute’s church was inaugurated. Then came the long-awaited day: October 1, 1928, when the Institute welcomed its first 18 pupils, marking the beginning of its educational mission in Cairo.
The journey continued, and in May 1930, the Institute opened its kindergarten. In November of the same year, Fr. Rubino left Egypt after completing his foundational mission, leaving behind a beginning that would continue to grow and flourish across generations.
And so, the story began… One man, one great dream, and a faith that never yielded to difficulties.
Today, as we celebrate the centenary of the Salesian presence in Cairo (1926–2026), we remember that every great journey begins with a single step, and that what once began as an adventure in Rod El Farag has become an enduring mission of education, formation, and service to young people.
A Century of Presence… and the Adventure Continues!
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