Indian Catholics Now Have Three Native Saints

VATICAN CITY/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From now on Indian Catholics will have three native saints following the elevation of Kuriakose Elias Chavara, popularly known as Chavara Achen, and Sister Euphrasia, popularly known as Evuprasiamma, in a canonisation ceremony presided over by Pope Francis II in the Vatican.

In 2008, Sister Alphonsa became the first native Indian to be canonized and she too belonged to the Syro Malabar Catholic Church, the same church to which the two new saints belong.

Ahead of the canonisation programme, Cardinal Mar George Alenchery of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church told the media here over phone from the Vatican City that to get two saints on one day is a historic blessing.

"Am so happy that God has blessed us all through this historic event and we have now two saints and that happened on a single day, so today is very special," he said.

Alenchery also led a brief prayer session after the canonisation ceremony took place.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson P.J.Kurien, who is leading the Indian delegation to the event at the Vatican, told reporters here over telephone that they are all excited to witness a historic occasion.

"I am sitting with the Kerala delegation and we are all elated and excited to be witnessing this," he said.

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