Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintMarie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas O.P. |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Born | Soultaneh Maria Ghattas 4 October 1843 Jerusalem, Ottoman Palestine |
| Died | 25 March 1927 (aged 83) Ein Karem, Mandatory Palestine |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 22 November 2009, Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth by Angelo Amato |
| Canonized | 17 May 2015, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope Francis |
| Feast | 25 March |
| Attributes |
|
| Patronage | Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Jerusalem |
Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas (born October 4, 1843 – died March 25, 1927) was a Palestinian Christian nun. She started the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Jerusalem. This was the first group of nuns from Palestine.
She was declared "Blessed" (beatified) in 2009 by Archbishop Angelo Amato. This was done on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. Later, on December 6, 2014, Pope Francis recognized a miracle linked to her. This miracle was needed for her to become a saint. She was officially made a saint (canonized) on May 17, 2015.
Contents
Her Early Life and Calling
Marie-Alphonsine was born as Soultaneh Maria Ghattas on October 4, 1843. Her family lived in Jerusalem, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. She spent her entire life helping poor people in Palestine.
When she was 14, Soultaneh joined a religious group called the Congregation of St. Joseph of the Apparition. She became a "postulant," which is like a beginner in a religious community. In 1862, after making her first promises (vows), she was sent to teach "catechism" in Bethlehem. Catechism is a way of teaching about the Christian faith. While in Bethlehem, she also started groups to encourage people to pray using the Rosary.
Starting a New Religious Order
In Bethlehem, Marie-Alphonsine said she had several special visions of Mary, the mother of Jesus. These visions told her to start a new group of nuns in Palestine. This new group would be called the "Sisters of the Rosary."
In 1880, seven young women were ready to join this new group. They received their special religious clothes from Patriarch Bracco. A "Patriarch" is a very high-ranking leader in the church. In the same year, Marie-Alphonsine received special permission from Rome to leave her old community. She then joined the new Rosary Sisters. On October 7, 1883, she received her new religious clothes. On March 7, 1885, she and eight other sisters made their final promises to the new order. This meant they would be Rosary Sisters for life.
Helping Others and Growing the Order
Marie-Alphonsine spent her life serving local churches and helping to educate girls in Palestine. Her new community of sisters grew quickly. In 1886, she opened a school for girls in Beit Sahour.
She then traveled to different places to help. She went to Salt in Transjordan with three other sisters. After that, she went to Nablus. She had to return to Jerusalem because she became ill. After she got better, she went to the town of Zababdeh.
In 1917, she moved to Ein Karem. There, she started an orphanage to care for children who had lost their parents. She passed away in Ein Karem on March 25, 1927.
Becoming a Saint
Marie-Alphonsine was declared "Blessed" (beatified) on November 22, 2009. The ceremony took place at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Archbishop Angelo Amato led the event. He was representing Pope Benedict XVI.
Later, Pope Francis approved a second miracle linked to her on December 6, 2014. This led to her becoming a saint. She was officially made a saint (canonized) on May 17, 2015. The ceremony was held in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican. Many Christian pilgrims from the Middle East attended, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The order of nuns that Saint Marie-Alphonsine founded continues her work today. They run schools, teach about faith, operate clinics, and care for orphans across the Middle East.
See also
- Mariam Baouardy
- Palestinian Christians
