On Saturday, 17 October 2026, a spiritual celebration was held in Saint Marie Alphonsine Square at the Rosary Sisters’ School in Marj Al Hamam, Amman, marking the start of the centenary jubilee of Saint Marie Alphonsine’s heavenly birth, which coincides on 25 March 2027. This celebration was attended by a large gathering of nuns, the faithful, and young people.

The Rosary prayer was led by Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader, director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Amman, in the presence of Fr. Imad Haddad of the Greek Catholic Church, Regional Superior of the Rosary Sisters Sr. Madeleine Dababneh, school principal Sister Clara Mua’shir, as well as several nuns and a number of the faithful.

The school teachers and students took part in the Rosary prayer while placing flowers and candles. The school choir performed spiritual hymns while special prayers were also offered seeking the intercession of Saint Marie Alphonsine for the Church, peace throughout the world, the sick, and the needy.

In a spiritual reflection delivered at the end of the prayers, Fr. Bader recalled the significant historic milestones in the Rosary Sisters’ journey of honoring their saint. He noted that he was at this school on 30 October 2009, during a large gathering in preparation for the beatification of Marie Alphonsine, which took place in Nazareth on 22 November of that same year.

He also recalled the celebration held in the square of Rosary College School in Shmeisani on 8 May 2015, in preparation for her canonization, which took place in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 17 May 2015, and was presided over by Pope Francis as well as the following Mass of thanksgiving held in the square of the Rosary Sisters’ School in Marj Al Hamam on 12 June 2015.

Fr. Bader said that history recalls some people, but immortalizes and honors others for the spiritual and human impact they leave behind, among whom is Saint Marie Alphonsine of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, whom God blessed with the virtues of humility, simplicity, and love for all.

He added that the saint lived a humble life and was sometimes misunderstood, yet she remained faithful to her vocation, drawing strength from her deep relationship with Virgin Mary Who blessed her with spiritual apparitions that remained confidential and were only revealed after her death.

He emphasized that holiness is not beyond reach, as it begins with simplicity in everyday life, humility, obedience, love, and service to others. He noted that    elapse of a century after her passing, Marie Alphonsine continues to inspire generations, particularly young people seeking role models and meaning in today’s world.

 Fr. Bader urged young people and families to remain devoted to praying the Rosary, especially during October, the month dedicated to this devotion, and to pray for peace throughout the world, as well as for the sick and for those who suffer. He also recalled the Virgin Mary’s words to Saint Marie Alphonsine: “The Rosary is your treasure.”

He also invited those present to offer prayers of thanksgiving to God for the health and safety of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV following his discharge from the hospital, and expressed his wishes for the Pope’s full recovery and the continuation of his apostolic ministry.

Fr. Bader concluded his reflection by calling on all participants, particularly young people, to follow the model of Saint Marie Alphonsine including faith, hope, love, humility, and courage and affirmed that the Holy Land, which gave birth to this saint, remains a fertile ground for faith and holiness.

This celebration is part of the spiritual preparations for the centenary jubilee of Saint Marie Alphonsine’s passing into heaven as she was the founder of the Congregation of the Rosary Sisters--the first indigenous Arab women’s religious congregation in the Holy Land which continues its educational, spiritual, and humanitarian mission in Jordan, Palestine, and abroad.