Faithful Commemorate 31st Martyrdom Anniversary of Blessed Rani Maria in Central India

The 31st martyrdom anniversary of Blessed Rani Maria was observed on February 25 at Udainagar Parish in the Diocese of Indore, central India.

Six bishops, 50 priests, 160 women religious, and more than 600 faithful participated in the commemoration.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Peter Rumal Kharadi of Jhabua. Concelebrants included Archbishop Mar Sebastian Vadakel, Bishop Joseph Thikkattil of Gwalior, Archbishop Leo Cornelio SVD, Bishop Chacko SVD and Bishop Thomas Mathew of Indore.

In his homily, Archbishop Leo Cornelio said Blessed Rani Maria sought social transformation through service and sacrifice. Despite threats to her life, she continued her mission among the poor.

“Love has a cost. Until we are willing to pay the price of love, we cannot truly learn to love,” he said.

He added that the Church’s mission is not religious conversion but the transformation of hearts and minds. “Conversion is God’s work. Our role is to lead people from evil to goodness and to promote love and fraternity,” he said.

Following the Mass, six people shared testimonies of favors they said were received through the intercession of Blessed Rani Maria. A book highlighting her social commitment and service was also released.

Martyrdom

Sister Rani Maria Vattalil, a member of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, was killed on February 25, 1995, near Udainagar in Madhya Pradesh. Police reported that she was stabbed multiple times while traveling by bus.

Investigators alleged the attack was linked to opposition from local moneylenders affected by her efforts to organize self-help groups for poor rural women.

In 2010, Samandar Singh, who was convicted of the murder, publicly accepted responsibility, stating he would regret his actions for the rest of his life and that he now seeks to assist marginalized communities.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Acts of forgiveness by her family drew national attention. On August 21, 2002, her younger sister, Sr. Selmy Paul, visited Singh at Indore Central Jail. On February 25, 2003, her mother, Eliswa, visited the prison and publicly forgave him. Leaders of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) also formally expressed forgiveness.

Beatification Process

The beatification cause opened on September 26, 2003, after she was declared Servant of God and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints granted the “nihil obstat.”

The diocesan inquiry was conducted in Indore from June 29, 2005, to June 28, 2007, and validated in Rome in 2009. The “Positio” was submitted in 2014 and approved by theologians in 2016. Pope Francis recognized her martyrdom on March 23, 2017. She was beatified on November 4, 2017, in Indore.