Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne

Alphonse Ratisbonne, also Marie- Alphonse Ratisbonne, ( born May 1, 1814 Strasbourg, † May 6, 1884 in En Kerem in Jerusalem ) was the co-founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Sion.

The religion had never played a role in his life until he was on 20 January 1842 apparition of Mary in the church of St. Andrea delle Fratte in Rome. This experience led him to convert to Christianity, and he later helped his brother Théodore Ratisbonne in the founding of the order.

Life

Alphonse was born to a wealthy Jewish banking family in Strasbourg. After studying law and literature in Paris, he worked as a lawyer and banker in the company of his uncle.

In 1841, Alphonse Ratisbonne was betrothed to his eldest brother's daughter. However, the marriage was because the girl was only 16 years old, still postponed and Alphonse Ratisbonne took a trip to the Orient. His path led him into the city of Rome, where he by chance the Church of St. Andrea delle Fratte walked more and saw there in a light phenomenon Maria. After this experience he converted with his baptism in a Jesuit church to the Christian faith.

On 20 June 1842 he entered as a novice in the Society of Jesus in St. Acheul one. Starting in 1843, he supported his brother Théodore Ratisbonne in founding the Congregation of the Sisters of Sion. In St. Alphonse Acheul received on September 20, 1847 or 1848, the ordination to the priesthood. He entered the Society of Jesus and was active as a missionary.

Alphonse Ratisbonne occurred after a few years with the permission of Pope Pius IX. back out of the Jesuit order and became a member of the Brothers of Our Lady of Sion, where he campaigned for the conversion of Muslims and Jews with the help of charitable, spiritual and educational resources.

In 1855 he moved with the Congregation of the Sisters of Sion in Jerusalem and left it there for the sisters in 1856 at the Ecce Homo arch build a large monastery building, which was also a school and an orphanage for girls. Outside the city of Jerusalem he made in 1860 to build the orphanage of St. John on a mountain in En Kerem and another church. Built later orphanage St. Peter near the Jaffa Gate was designed for boys and had an attached school.