The Catholic Church in India, united in one voice, raises its hymn of thanking to the Almighty for raising Blessed Elias Kuriakose Chavara and Blessed EuphrasiaEluvathingalto the rank of Saints and ascribing to them the honour of the Altar.
His Holiness Pope Francis presided over the Canonization Ceremonies at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday, 23rd November, 2014, on the Solemnity of Christ the King, at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican. All the four Cardinals from India, scores of Bishops and hundreds of Priests and Religious and thousands of Lay faithful attended the function at the Vatican. The Government of India and the State Government of Kerala also sent official high-level Delegation to this function.
On the following day, a Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at the Main Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by His Eminence Cardinal George Alencherry. His Eminence Cardinal Baselios Cleemis preached the Homily. It was attended by all those Indians who attended the Canonization Ceremony on the previous day.
In a rare gesture of affection and goodwill, His Holiness Pope Francis made his appearance before the beginning of the Holy Mass and expressed His Holiness’ appreciation for the zeal and vitality of the Church in Kerala, especially of the Syro-Malabar Church, to which the two new Saints belong. His Holiness Pope Francis blessed the entire Indian Congregation gathered for the Thanksgiving Mass.