Once again recognizing the vitality of Kerala’s contemporary Christian community and its long and pedigreed history, the Vatican on Sunday anointed two more saints from the Syro-Malabar Church. At a special mass at St Peter’s Square at Vatican, Pope Francis declared Fr Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluventhinkal as saints, worthy of worship at altars in all Catholic and sister churches across the world.

Mother Sancta, Mother General of Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC), carried the relics of Sr Euphrasia to the holy altar, while the relics of Fr Chavara was taken to the altar by Fr James Madathikandathil during the rites.

Six saints were canonized on Sunday, the four others being Italians.

In a touching moment that resonated with hundreds of thousands of devout Malayalis watching the ceremony live on television, Fr Davis Pattath, director of Jerusalem Retreat Centre in Thrissur, read out a short prayer in Malayalam: “Karthavaya Yesuve, Sabhaye Angayude kripayal Naveekarichu, Visudhiyude Santhoshathilum Unmeshathilum Njangalude Ajapalakareyum Janatheyum Valarthename,” (Lord Jesus, renovate the church by Your grace and let our shepherds and people grow in the glow of holiness). Similar prayers were recited in Spanish, Ukrainian, Portuguese and Chinese.

Reflecting the momentous nature of the event, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church said, “I am so happy that God has blessed us all through this historic event and we have now two saints and that happened on a single day, so today is very special.”