The Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, sometimes known as the Sisters of Sion, are the female branch of the Congregation of Our Lady of Sions, or the Congregation of the Religious of Our Lady of Sion, were formed (along with their male counterpart) by Theodore and Alphonse Ratisbonne. The Ratisbonne brothers were raised in a secular Jewish home, and religion played little part in their childhood or early adulthood. However, both were converted to Christianity in the early 1800s, and felt called to evangelize the Jews. The Religious Sisters of Our Lady of Sion was founded in 1843, and the Catholic religious institute had great success in its apostolic work among the Jews. During World War II, the Order was active in assisting Jewish people who were fleeing from Nazi persecution, even harboring them in their convents. However, in accordance with the Nostra Aetate, a declaration on the relation of the Church with non-Christian religions passed by the Second Vatican Council in 1965, and declared by Pope Paul VI, the Order's orientation changed. In obedience to the directives of the Vatican, the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion no longer seek to convert the Jews, but to foster better relationships with the Jewish people, learn the traditions of Israel, and to gain a better appreciation of the shared heritage of Christians and Jews. Rather than converting the Jews to Christianity, the Order now strives to get to know Judaism as it defines itself, and to make this known to Christians. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Sisters have taken on several new ministries, while retaining a focus on the Jewish people and a presence in the Holy Land. Ecce Homo, their convent, is built over a sacred site where Christians believe Jesus was scourged and condemned to death. They host tours of the Holy Land, and programs of Biblical formation and study. The Sisters participate in ecumenical groups, and have been active members of the Interfaith Coordinating Council of Israel.
Recommended Resources
The Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, General House, in Rome highlights the Order, with content in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. The founding of the Order is recounted, along with a biography of its founders, an overview of its charism, congregational teams, associates and friends. Its work in Jerusalem is accounted, along with its projects and ministries, awards, and other resources.
http://www.notredamedesion.org/en/
Located in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia, Our Lady of Sion College is operated by the Religious Congregation of Sisters of Sion, an Order dedicated to the improvement of Jewish-Christian relations. A profile of the school for girls is presented, including its curriculum, learning programs, policy information, enrollment policies, schedules, fees, levies, and charges. Contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.sion.catholic.edu.au/
Established by the Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion, the inter-denominational, co-educational school offers a full education to boys and girls from nursery age through the sixth form (3-19 years). Located near the center of Worthington, West Sussex, its history, pastoral care, policies, rules, and exam results may be found on its site, along with a promotional video, admissions policies, and parent information.
http://www.sionschool.org.uk/
The Sisters of Sion have been in London since 1860, at the invitation of Cardinal Manning. During that time, they have operated the Sion Convent, the Study Centre for Christian-Jewish Relations, and now the Sion Centre for Dialogue and Encounter, which promotes and highlights growth and mutual understanding between Christians, Jews, and other faiths and cultures.
https://sioncentre.org/
Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, Canada/USA
Part of an international congregation of vowed women, contemplative and apostolic, the Canada/USA province covers Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal in Canada, as well as Chicago, Saint Paul, Brooklyn, South Orange, New Jersey, Kansas City, Missouri, and Fairfield, Maine in the United States. Its locations are given, and contact information is posted to the site.
http://www.sistersofsion.net/
Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, UK & England
The international congregation of women, contemplative and apostolic, works to foster a greater understanding between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people. An interactive map shows the location of the Order in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. A history of the Order, its charism, testimonies of the Sisters, and an overview of its programs to foster Jewish/Christian relations are put forth.
http://www.sistersofourladyofsion.org/
