Vatican City, Oct. 13, 2019: Pope Francis, the supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Oct. 13 ‘canonized’ five new saints including Sister Mariam Thresia from Kerala. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, who is from the southern state of Kerala himself, represented India during the ceremony.
Sister Mariam was canonized on Oct 13 morning during Mass in the St. Peter’s Square along with Cardinal John Henry Newman, Giuseppina Vannini, Dulce Lopes Pontes, and Marquerite Bays.
According to the Vatican, Sister Mariam had “mystical experiences, including the gift of healing and prophesy”. Born in 1876, and named after Saint Teresa of Avila, she was the founder of Congregation of the Holy Family of Thrissur district in Kerala.
Sister Mariam Thresia, born on 26 April 1876 in Thrissur, was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 9th April 2000. Beatification is a declaration that a dead person is in a state of bliss. The declaration is made by the Pope, representing the Catholic Church, and is considered the first step in canonization and in turn thus permitting public veneration.
According to the Vatican, Sister Mariam had received ‘stigmata’ or appearance of bodily wound corresponding to crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ around wrists and feet, something she kept as a secret.
Many miraculous cures have been linked to her including of one Mathew Pellissery who had congenital club feet but was cured after praying and invoking the help of Mother Mariam Thresia. Mathew’s case was examined by the Vatican that played a role in Mother Mariam Thresia’s sainthood.
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-vatican-city-recognises-an-indian-as-saint-2796565