Blessed Mariam Thresia closer to sainthood

THRISSUR: The elevation of Blessed Mariam Thresia, the founder of Holy Family congregation of nuns in Kerala, to sainthood is now very close with a team of Vatican-based theologians set to evaluate the miracle believed to have been mediated by her.

The canonization process will be complete if they give ‘approval’ for the act. Mariam Thresia will then become the third nun from Kerala to be elevated to the status of sainthood.

Born on April 26, 1876 to Chiramel Mankidiyan Thoma and Thanda of Puthenchira, near Mala as Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan, she was beatified by Pope St John Paul II on April 9, 2000.

Healing a baby boy on April 9, 2009 is cited as the miracle. Christopher, third son of Joshi and Shibi of Choondal House at Perinchery, was suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome soon after his birth on April 7, 2009 morning. Doctors at Amala Hospital, Thrissur, had given up all hope. The baby is claimed to have started breathing normally two days after the family prayed for the intersession of Marian Thresia by keeping her relic near the baby.

According to Holy Family congregation officials here, the communication announcing the approval of the miracle by the theologians was received here on Thursday evening. They, however, clarified that it was not known when the evaluation of the miracle by the group of cardinals would take place.