Here is the Vatican-provided translation of the Holy Father’s address to Syro-Malabar Rite Catholics who came to Rome for Sunday’s canonization of Saints Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Euphrasia Eluvathingal, who are both from Kerala, India.
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Dear brothers and sisters,
I am pleased to join you in giving thanks to the Lord for the canonization of two new Indian saints, both from the State of Kerala. I offer warm greetings to Cardinal George Alencherry, to the Bishops and priests, men and women religious, and to each of you, dear brothers and sisters of the Syro-Malabar Rite. You have come to Rome in great numbers on this very important occasion, and have been able to live days of faith and ecclesial communion, praying also at the tombs of the Apostles. May this time of celebration and intense spirituality help you to contemplate the marvelous works accomplished by the Lord in the lives and deeds of these new saints.
Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluvathingal, who was a member of the religious Institute founded by him, remind each of us that God’s love is the source, the support and the goal of all holiness, while love of neighbour is the clearest manifestation of love for God. Father Kuriakose Elias was a religious, both active and contemplative, who generously gave his life for the Syro-Malabar Church, putting into action the maxim “sanctification of oneself and the salvation of others”. For her part, Sister Euphrasia lived in profound union with God so much so that her life of holiness was an example and an encouragement to the people, who called her “Praying Mother”.
Dear brothers and sisters,
May these new saints help you to treasure their lessons of evangelical living. Follow in their footsteps and imitate them, in a particular way, through love of Jesus in the Eucharist and love of the Church. Thus you will advance along the path to holiness. With this hope and the assurance of my prayers, I impart to each of you and to all your loved ones my Apostolic Blessing.
