St. Mena's Heavenly Team

In the 1950s, Pope Cyril VI, a Coptic leader, dreamed of rebuilding St. Mena’s Mariut monastery, ruined for centuries. Unsure where to start, he prayed, and through divine guidance, possibly via Mena’s intercession, he was led to a desert spot. Cyril found Mena’s old shrine, and by 1959, the monastery stood again, welcoming pilgrims. One tale says children heard Cyril say, “Mena’s intercession guides us,” and one tale says a boy, inspired, prayed there and felt bold to share his faith.

God’s grace through Mena’s intercession revived the monastery. One tale says Ethiopian faithful honor Cyril’s trust in Mena’s intercession. Coptic children learn how, through Mena’s intercession, Cyril rebuilt a sacred center. For kids, this story teaches that through Mena’s intercession, they feel part of God’s work through Christ, inspiring courage in faith.