The Congregation of Our Lady of Sion was founded in Europe in the mid-nineteenth century by Theodore Ratisbonne, a Jewish man who became a Catholic and a priest. It was the women who worked with him in the parish in France who asked him to found a congregation because they wished to live a community life. Theodore refused this request on several occasions and it was only later in 1842 when his younger brother, Alphonse became a Catholic did he agree to this request. In the conversion of Alphonse, Theodore saw that possibly this was a sign that God did want this congregation to be established. Thus the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion came into being in 1843 and received the approbation from the Holy See on September 8,1863.

Willingly receiving the Word of God, she became the mother of Jesus and followed him to the cross. She was present in the early Church. Having entered into the fullness of redemption, she confirms the destiny to which we are all called. (Constitution # 9)

The charism given to Fr. Theodore is a continuing gift of God for the Church. In the light of the ecumenical movement and of the signs of the times, especially the experiences of the Jewish people, the Church, reflecting on her own origin and mission, has rediscovered her roots in God´s revelation to Israel. At the same time, a new relationship is developing between the Church and the Jewish community, the Congregation grows in understanding its vocation and responds in a new way to the founder´s inspiration. (Constitution # 3)

We are called to witness by our life to God´s faithful love for the Jewish people and to his fidelity to the promises he revealed to the patriarchs and the prophets of Israel for all humanity. In Christ, the pledge of their fulfillment is given to us. This call implies that our apostolic life is characterized by a three-fold commitment: to the Church, to the Jewish people and to a world of justice, peace and love. Whatever task we are engaged in, we are called to integrate in some way, these three dimensions of our apostolic commitment. (Constitution # 13)

Theodore Simon Ratisbonne, the second son of Auguste and Adelaide (Cerfbeer) Ratisbonne, was born in 1802. A Jewish family of German origin living in Alsace, they were a highly assimilated family. In his early twenties, Theodore became a Christian and later a priest. He was deeply conscious of the Jewish roots of Christianity and saw the vital relationship between the Old and New Testaments.

Alphonse Charles Tobias Ratisbonne, Theodore's younger brother was born in 1814. It was Alphonse, (age 13) when Theodore became a Christian who became very hostile towards his brother. Years later in 1842, on a trip to Rome prior to his marriage Alphonse had a vision of Mary and later became a Christian.

Seeing in this a sign, Theodore once again considered a request to found an order of sisters who wished to live a community life. In 1848 the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion was established. It was in 1855 that Theodore agreed to his brother Alphonse's request to have the sisters begin a foundation in Palestine. Alphonse had in the meantime, become a priest taking the name of Father Mary Alphonse.