[1] Born Soultaneh Maria Ghattas on 4 October 1843 to a Palestinian family in Jerusalem, she spent her whole life working among the poor of Palestine.

That same year, Ghattas received a dispensation from Rome to leave the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph and entered the new congregation.

She received the habit from the hands of Bishop Pascal Appodia, auxiliary and patriarchal vicar, on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, 7 October 1883.

[3] On 7 March 1885, together with eight other sisters, she professed her final vows in the new order in the presence of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Vincent Bracco.

[2] Ghattas dedicated her life to parish ministry and the care and education of Palestinian girls, and the community quickly grew.