Even Hindus Eagerly Await Canonization of India’s ‘Patroness of Families’

KUZHIKKATTUSSERY, India — Enthusiasm is growing even among Hindus as they join Catholics in awaiting the announcement of the date for the canonization of Blessed Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan, who in 1914 founded the Congregation of the Holy Family (CHF), a community of women religious in southern Kerala state.

“Mother is not an ordinary Christian for us,” P.K. Mohanan, a member the village council for Kuzhikkattussery, told the Register. “She is an icon of love and charity. All of us respect her.”

Read all about it at National Catholic Register. I'd never heard of this saint but you can't watch as many Bollywood movies as I have without knowing about southern Kerala! So I feel a sense of connection just based on that slight bit of geography. Also, she seems like a really amazing person, just as any saint should!

I would also add that "even Hindus" is probably not as impressive as it sounds to us. Hindus often hold a variety of views that include other faiths. Such as the fact that some see Jesus as a god, just not the only God. So, it's great that they acknowledge her saintliness, but it doesn't have the same impact as if Muslims were flocking to this tomb. That would be something new indeed.