It is with great joy and profound gratitude to God that the Catholic Church in India is looking forward to the historic moment of the Canonization of Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Blessed Euphrasia Eluvanthingal, to be solemnized by His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican at 10.30 am on Sunday, 23rd November, 2014. This is an occasion for us to rejoice and at the same time, to thank God for the wonderful gift of these two saints to the Church in India, and to the Universal Church at large.
The Canonization of these two native Indians bears ample testimony to the fact that Christian Faith is deeply rooted in Indian soil and that thousands of men and women in our motherland dedicate their whole life to follow Jesus Christ intimately in His footsteps. The lives of these two saints are in perfect conformity with the Gospel values, as well as, with the ancient ethos of our dear Nation. While living in intimate union with God through deep interior spirituality, these two sages had offered their lives in humble service to others, bearing powerful witness to the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. Their lives have become an inspiration for many to follow Jesus Christ with dedication and sacrifice.
It would be a fitting homage to the memory of the new saints that we invite all the Priests, Religious and Lay faithful of our respective dioceses to join spiritually with our Holy Father in the solemn Liturgy of raising these two Blessed to the rank of Saints and to the honor of the altar. It would be highly desirable that special prayers are included in the Sunday Mass of 23rd November.
Let us earnestly pray that the new saints intercede for us and that the legacy of their lives shine forth in our country, inviting thousands of our brethren to follow Jesus and His gospel.