Kerala-born nun Rani Maria, who was stabbed to death in 1995 in Madhya Pradesh, was on Saturday declared ‘Blessed’, a sacred title in the Roman Catholic church order.
The Vatican’s head of the Department for Cause of Saints, Cardinal Angelo Amato, declared Sister Rani, ‘Blessed’, a stage below sainthood.
Cardinal Amato read out the Apostolic (Pope’s) letter declaring her ‘Blessed’ in Latin at a Holy Mass at Saint Paul Higher Secondary School’s ground in Indore in the presence of a large number of Christians.
Killer attends ceremony
The nun’s killer, Samandar Singh, also attended the ceremony in Indore.
Selmy, sister of the slain nun, who along with other family members was present at the ceremony, said she was “overwhelmed” at the declaration. An elated Ms. Selmy said she would walk on the path shown by her sister.
“The Blessed title is considered a prelude to beatification of sainthood as was the case with Mother Teresa,” public relations officer of the Madhya Pradesh Catholic Church Maria Stephen said.
But for canonisation of sainthood, a miracle is required, he said.
All the four cardinals of India — Baselios Cleemis (president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India), George Alencherry (of the Syro Malabar Church), Oswald Gracias (Archdiocese of Bombay) and Telephore Toppo (Archdiocese of Ranchi) attended.