Personal Info
- Country of residence: Palestine
Information
Born “Sultana Maria” (Arabic for “Queen Mary”) in 1843, Mother Marie Alphonsine’s birth name anticipated her forthcoming devotion to the Virgin Mary. Sultana Maria Danil Ghattas was born in Jerusalem to a pious Arab family. Her mother attended daily mass, and her father often invited friends to their home to say decades of the rosary together. It is no wonder that at the age of 14, Sultana Maria entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. Upon taking her final vows at the age of 17, Sultana Maria took the name Marie Alphonsine.
Mother Marie Alphonsine was sent to teach at the Sisters’ school in Bethlehem, where she was known for her quiet and humble demeanor. While excelling as a catechist and educator, Mother Marie Alphonsine shared her devotion to the rosary with those around her. It was during her time in Bethlehem, that she began having visions of Mary, Our Mother. These visions occurred over the course of 4 years. In them, Our Lady would ask Mother Marie Alphonsine to start a new religious order of Arab women devoted to the rosary. Mother Marie Alphonsine shared her visions only with her spiritual director, Father Yousef Tannous. Fr. Tannous started the Congregation of the Rosary Sisters in 1880 while Mother Marie Alphonsine secured permission to switch orders. Mother Marie Alphonsine officially became a “Rosary Sister” in 1883.
Throughout the rest of her life, Mother Marie Alphonsine served in parishes, schools, and orphanages. Her humility and devotion to prayer marked the work she did wherever she went. While serving in Jaffa, she saved the life of girl who fell into a well by praying the rosary. In 1917, she was given her final assignment, to found an orphanage in Ein Karem. In this town, she spent the remainder of her days fulfilling Our Lady’s wish that the rosary be recited perpetually. Mother Marie Alphonsine’s last act was to pray the rosary with her sister, Hanneh Danil Ghattas, on March 25, 1927, the feast of the Annunciation. Handwritten accounts of her Marian visions were not shared with her congregation until after her death, according to her wishes.
Source
Achievements and Awards
- Years in active
: From
To