By Smitha George
Vatican, Feb 13, 2019: Pope Francis green-lighted on February 13 the canonization of Blessed Maria Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan of India.
Blessed Thresia, (also known as Mariam Thresia) was the founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family under the Syro-Malabar Church. She was born on April 26, 1876, and died on June 8, 1926.
Mariam Thresia became known for receiving frequent visions and ecstasies as well as even receiving the stigmata which she kept well-guarded. She had been involved in apostolic work her entire life and pushed for strict adherence to the rule of her order among her fellow religious.
Pope John Paul II beatified her on April 9, 2000. Pope Francis approved a second miracle attributed to her at the beginning of 2019.
Blessed Mariam Thresia will become the fourth from Kerala to be elevated to the status of sainthood after Alphonsa, Euphrasia and Kuriakose Elias Chavara.
She was known for her extraordinary charity, especially a preferential love for the poorest of the poor.
The Pope Francis also cleared the way for the sainthood of renowned English Cardinal John Henry Newman and brought 6 others a step closer to canonization.