125 YEARS OF PRESENCE: A RADIANT HOPE IN THE HORTUS CONCLUSUS OF ORTAS, PALESTINE

The presence of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden in Artas (Ortas), near Bethlehem, for the past 125 years has been a beacon of light, illuminating the lives of countless people both within and beyond the nation. This Jubilee is not merely a celebration of time, but a testimony to the enduring spirit of love, resilience, and selfless service that defines the sisters’ charism, spirituality, and mission. Their legacy continues through education, nursing care, spiritual guidance, and the care of the garden and nature.

The Latin term Hortus Conclusus means “Enclosed Garden.” The monastery is located in the valley of the village of Artas, south of Bethlehem, in a breathtaking agricultural region. In 1885, Mariano Soler, a priest from Montevideo, Latin America, visited this place and was deeply moved by its beauty, charm, and rich history, inspired by the words of Song of Songs 4:12, which speaks of the Enclosed Garden.

Inspired by this biblical image, he decided to raise funds to purchase the land and establish a monastery for the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden as a sign of gratitude for their dedicated work in Latin America.

Meanwhile, he was appointed Archbishop of Montevideo. He returned in 1897, purchased the land, laid the cornerstone, and construction continued for four years until 1901, when the monastery was completed and its mission began.

As we reflect on the extraordinary journey of the sisters in Hortus Conclusus, we remember that the Enclosed Garden has long held symbolic and spiritual significance. Among the local Arab community, the place is still known as Bustan Suleiman, meaning “Solomon’s Garden.” For Christians, however, it holds an even deeper spiritual meaning: it symbolizes the Virgin Mary, the Heavenly Garden, through her immaculate purity and fullness of virtue.

Associated with the Marian icon Hortus Conclusus, Fons Signatus are two figures linked to the two sanctuaries: Antonio Gianelli (1789–1846) and Mariano Soler (1846–1908). Both priests were deeply aligned with the Marian devotion professed by the Fathers of the Church, a devotion often reflected in their words. At the Sanctuary of Chiavari, Antonio Gianelli blessed the cornerstone of the pronaos in 1836. At the Sanctuary of Hortus Conclusus, in 1897, Archbishop Soler became the prophetic mentor who recognized the daughters of Mary as those chosen to keep alive the missionary and Marian flame in the biblical land — the land of Mary and of the Word made flesh.

Nestled between two parallel mountains, the valley of Artas is a place where olive trees whisper in the wind and the chapel bell has rung the Ave Maria for 125 years. Each chime marks not only the passage of time but also the enduring presence of the Gianelline missionaries who came from Argentina, Uruguay, Italy, Turkey, Lebanon, Armenia, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and India to serve through pastoral ministry, education, and nursing care in this historic and holy land.

A FLAME STILL BURNING

As we celebrate 125 years of presence in Ortas, we celebrate not only history, but a living flame. We express our gratitude to the pioneering sisters who worked selflessly and whose dedicated service continues to inspire us, reminding us that even in lands marked by struggle, roots can grow deep, branches can spread wide, and the fruits of vigilant evangelical charity can blossom. Through wars, political unrest, and social change, the sisters remained faithful to their spirituality. Their garden became a sanctuary — a place of prayer where pilgrims, villagers, and strangers alike found hospitality and shelter.

 

THE CHRISTIAN PRESENCE

In Bethlehem, where many Christians, discouraged by the social situation, choose to emigrate in search of new opportunities, and where the population is predominantly Muslim, the sisters continue to bear witness through their steadfast presence.

 

EDUCATION FOR MUSLIM CHILDREN

In the area surrounding Ortas, at the kindergarten attached to the Sanctuary of Hortus Conclusus, Muslim families of Ortas learned to honor the Virgin Mary. As they pass by, they often greet from afar the biblical figure of Mary, who overlooks the town from the sanctuary square. The school provided a quality education rooted in values that foster peace regardless of religious diversity.

The enduring footprints of love and service in Ortas remain visible today.

Volunteers from the Gianelline Family, coming from Italy, Portugal, and Spain, travel here during the olive harvest season to offer humanitarian assistance.

 

SETTLER ACTIVITY AND ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

The Community of Sisters shares in the hardships faced by the Palestinian people due to the presence of Israeli settlers. The sanctuary — especially the mountain area — lies within a conflict zone that the new residents claim as their property.

 

MILESTONES OF THE HORTUS CONCLUSUS SANCTUARY

(1901–2026)

• 1885 – Father Mariano Soler visited Palestine and the village of Ortas.
• 1890 – The Archbishop traveled on horseback to Turkey to obtain permission to purchase the land, since the region was under Ottoman rule.
• 1901 – The sisters sailed from Argentina (3), Uruguay (3), and Italy (3) to Ortas.
• 1901 – A dispensary was opened as a healing ministry for the villagers. (In 2010, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary, the Diocese of Chiavari collaborated in opening a special room dedicated to caring for the sick.)
• 1903 – An orphanage was established for abandoned children.
• 1908 – Archbishop Mariano Soler entrusted the sanctuary works to Mother General Giuseppina Gibelli.

 

Ortas, Sanctuary of Devotion to Mary Hortus Conclusus

A sanctuary of mercy and charity that gives without asking anything in return — a gift of Christ’s love to Muslims.

Marian devotion and tireless charity: the union found in Ortas perfectly expressed the purpose and spirit of the Congregation. — Mother Gibelli

 

• 1916 – During World War I, the sisters returned to Rome by order of the authorities; the parish priest, Father Salvatore Bandak, and his two sisters took care of the sanctuary.
• 1955 – The sisters were invited by the Franciscan Order to care for the elderly at the Antonian Charity Society in Bethlehem.
• 1970 – Chaplain Father Salvatore Bandak erected a statue of the Virgin Mary, brought from Italy, in front of the church.
• 1974 – A kindergarten was founded, providing the first structured learning environment for local children.
• 2012 – Opening of the Spiritual Retreat House “Oasis Hortus Conclusus.”
• 2025 – An “Educational Farm” (Fattoria Educativa) was inaugurated to support students facing learning difficulties.

 

The orphanage ministry concluded in 2006, making way for the opening of the Spiritual Retreat House “Oasis Hortus.”

Due to social challenges, the kindergarten had to close in 2024; the building was renovated to host spiritual activities for Christian communities.

IGNITING HOPE FROM THE “FRAGMENTS” IN THE CITY OF BREAD
Antonian Charity Society – 1955–2026

The pioneering sisters from Rome traveled to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus in Palestine, through many hardships and difficulties, passing through Lebanon. They were joyfully welcomed by the community of the Hortus Conclusus sanctuary.

The sisters began their selfless service at the Antonian Charity Society in Bethlehem on November 21, 1955, especially caring for elderly and lonely women who could no longer care for themselves. They continued serving with great joy, love, and many sacrifices for the well-being of the elderly. Daily routines were established for their holistic care and development. Parish priests came every day to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

In 1967, war broke out, followed by several periods of uprising and unrest (intifada). Even today, waves of conflict continue due to political tensions in the country, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic of 2019, which affected many lives, including that of Sister Catrina. Every suffering and difficult situation was entrusted to the divine providence of God and the Virgin Mary, who never failed us nor weakened our hope in God.

As the sisters celebrate 70 years of service to the elderly, they continue to respond with joy and love to God’s love and to the charism of the founder, Saint Anthony Gianelli. Today, the community is well equipped with proper facilities to accommodate nearly 50 residents. The sisters express heartfelt gratitude to people from around the world, institutions, and local residents who generously support the nursing home with their resources.

CONCLUSION

The remarkable history of the sisters in Artas and Bethlehem is more than a chronicle of years; it is a testimony to profound trust in God, Marian devotion, and perseverance in the divine call in a land often marked by struggle, war, political upheaval, and global change. Through it all, the sisters remained steadfast in their passion for a mission of love and service.