altJerusalem – The Catholic Church in the Holy Land is preparing for the upcoming canonization of two Blessed: Blessed Mariam Bawardi, known as Mary of Jesus Crucified, and Blessed Maria Alphonsina Ghattas. On the occasion of the Solemnity of All Saints the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Exc. Mgr. Fouad Twal announced that soon the two blessed religious will be proclaimed saints. In December, the Consistory of Cardinals will meet for the final approval of the results of the canonical process carried out by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The celebration for the canonization of Sister Mariam and Sister Maria Alfonsina is likely to take place within 2015.

The two blessed both lived in the second half of the nineteenth century. Mariam Bawardi – as reported by the biographical notes published by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem – was born in the village of Ibillin in Galilee and was baptized in the Greek Melkite Church and founded the Carmel of Bethlehem, where one can still visit her cell. She received the gift of the stigmata, and mystical experiences, including some dreams in which Jesus revealed the location of the site of Emmaus, near Latrun.

Sister Maria Alphonsina Ghattas, born in Ain Kerem, is the founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Rosary. She also had mystical experiences where she received visions in which Our Lady told her to found a religious congregation devoted to assisting young people and the elderly.

By: Agenzia Fides