Two new saints for the Holy Land

Pope Francis announced that the two Holy Land nuns, Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified, Maryam Bawardi, and Blessed Marie-Alphonsine Ghattas will be canonized on May 17, 2015 in Rome.

Maryam Bawardi, born in the village of Ibillin in Galilee and founder of the Carmel monastery in Bethlehem, and Marie-Alphonsine Ghattas, born in Ein Karem and founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Rosary, both lived in the second part of the 19th century.

Maryam Bawardi was beatified in 1983 and Marie-Alphonsine Ghattas was beatified in 2009.

This announcement was met with great joy throughout the Holy Land and we ask the intercession of both these holy women for this land!