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Saint Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas
Image: Tamar Hayardeni · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Saint Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas

Jerusalem-born nun who founded the Rosary Sisters, the Holy Land's local congregation

Rank
Saint
Kind
Founder, Religious
Life
1843 – 1927
Era
20th century
Feast
25 March
Countries
Palestinian Territories
Palestinian Territories

Life story

Sultaneh Maria Ghattas was born on 4 October 1843 in Jerusalem, then part of the Ottoman Empire. She joined the Sisters of St Joseph, and in 1880 she obtained a dispensation from her vow of obedience to their superiors in order to enter the new Congregation of the Holy Rosary. For years many believed Father Joseph Tannous was its founder, but the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem states that she was in fact its originator.

According to the congregation's tradition, while she was in Bethlehem the Virgin Mary appeared to her several times, urging her to found a congregation of Palestinian women; no dates are recorded for these reported apparitions. The Rosary Sisters of Jerusalem were founded in 1880, and the Patriarchate describes them as the only congregation in the Holy Land whose members are all local, Arabic-speaking women. The sisters work in pastoral care, look after the elderly and young children, and serve the poor.

She died on 25 March 1927 at the age of 83. Pope John Paul II recognised her heroic virtues in 1994. She was beatified on 22 November 2009 in Nazareth, with Archbishop Angelo Amato presiding on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. On 6 December 2014 Pope Francis approved a second miracle attributed to her intercession, and she was canonised on 17 May 2015 in St Peter's Square. Her feast is kept on 25 March.

Works and witness

  • Born in Jerusalem on 4 October 1843
  • Originated the Rosary Sisters of Jerusalem in 1880
  • Her congregation is the only one in the Holy Land made up of local Arabic-speaking members
  • Beatified on 22 November 2009 in Nazareth
  • Canonised on 17 May 2015

Saints from the same country

Saint Justin Martyr, Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Saint Hilarion, Saint Epiphanius of Salamis

References

  • Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, 'The Rosary Sisters' and related news items (lpj.org; via search summaries)
  • Wikipedia article on Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas read in full, cross-checked with LPJ for founding 1880, beatification 2009, canonisation 2015
  • Catholic News Agency, coverage of the 17 May 2015 canonisation (via search summary)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.