The news that Pope Francis would canonize Sr Mariam Thresia on 13 October 2019 was not a big surprise. But I was really surprised that our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, expressed his appreciation and congratulations over the event. In his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “It is a matter of pride for every Indian that on the coming October 13 His Holiness Pope Francis will declare Sister Mariam Thresia a saint. I pay heartfelt tributes to Sister Mariam Thresia and congratulate the citizens of India, and especially our Christian brothers and sisters for this achievement.”
This was a real surprise – and a pleasant one. If you look carefully at the words the Prime Minister has used, you will see why someone like me, who has keenly observed and commented on what happens in our socio-political arena for more than twenty years, would see this as something highly unusual. He says it is a matter of pride for every Indian, not merely Indian Catholics. And he congratulates all the citizens of India and especially “our Christian brothers and sisters.” It would seem as if he is saying that a spiritual achievement of an Indian Christian is a matter of pride for all Indians.
Does this mean a change of heart, a new, inclusive outlook? If it is, we can credit it to the newest Indian saint, St Mariam Thresia. The present…
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Fr M A Joe Antony SJ
