The Saints and Their Love for Mary

St. Maria Ghattas

Saint Maria Ghattas lived a life of union with Mary in the service of Jesus. She was born in Jerusalem in 1843 and named Soultaneh Maria which means Mary the Queen. When she was 19, she was sent to teach catechism in Bethlehem. Mary appeared to her several times and asked her to start an order called The Sisters of the Rosary. She spent her whole life serving the poor in Palestine. She died in Ein Karem (venerated as the place of the Visitation) on the Feast of the Annunciation while praying the Rosary.

The Rosary had been a part of Maria’s life since her childhood and she used its lessons in all circumstances of her life. Once when a young girl fell into a dry well, Maria threw her large rosary into the well trusting in Mary’s care. The girl came up from the well and said that a rosary-shaped ladder had guided her. When we love Mary, she guides us safely to Jesus.