Chennai (India). St. Thomas the Apostle Province (INM) expressed its joy at the Canonization of Sister Maria Troncatti with Eucharistic celebrations of thanksgiving throughout the Province, in particular in Vellore, on 16 November and in Chennai on 22 November 2025.
On 16 November 2025, Mary Help of Christians Community of Vellore welcomed the Provincial, Sister Margaret Devadoss, the Provincial Councilors, and all the Sisters of the Vellore area for morning prayer. About 150 Sisters were present, along with the Aspirants from Sacred Heart House in Katpadi. The prayer focused on the symbolic representation of the hands, highlighting the life and mission of the Saint: hands that welcomed strangers, that healed wounded soldiers without distinction, that blessed the suffering, that worked tirelessly for 44 years, that valued the dignity of indigenous women, that united cultures in mutual respect, that pointed to heaven, even at her death.
The Sisters then went to Assumption Cathedral in Vellore for the solemn Eucharistic Thanksgiving Celebration with the parish community and the Salesian Family, presided over by Monsignor Ambrose Pichaimuthu, Bishop of Vellore, and concelebrated by various priests. The Celebration opened with a large entrance procession led by students from Auxilium College in Katpadi, carrying colorful flags along with Vatican and Indian flags, followed by the Provincial and Councilors, Animators, Priests, and the Bishop.
At the beginning of the Eucharist, the Bishop unveiled the image of the new Saint, paying her a floral tribute. A brief introduction to the life of Saint Maria Troncatti was presented via PowerPoint by Sister Ambrose Arokia Jayaseli, Dean of Auxilium College.
In his homily, Bishop Ambrose reflected on the exemplary life of the Saint, her unconditional service to the poor, her missionary zeal, and her compassionate heart inherited from Don Bosco and Saint Mary Mazzarello. He stressed three points: loving the poor and being in solidarity with them, sharing with the poor what is rightfully theirs, welcoming and elevating the poorest to their dignity.
The Mass concluded with songs in honor of the Saint, renewing the faithful’s commitment to following her example of holiness and service. Sister Margaret expressed gratitude to the Bishop and priests and the Animator, Sister Amali Alexander, expressed thanks.
Parishioners, Auxilium College students, children from St. Mary’s boarding school, and Sisters then attended the screening of a short documentary about the life of Saint Maria Troncatti, and the morning ended with refreshments for everyone.
On 22 November 2025, in Chennai, at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church of Kodambakkam, the solemn Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Bishop George Antonysamy, Archbishop of Chennai-Mylapore, and concelebrated by various priests, in the presence of FMAs, lay faithful, religious priests, and religious Sisters of various Congregations.
The Eucharist opened with an introduction that invited the assembly to enter into the spirit of gratitude by portraying the luminous life and holiness of Sister Maria Troncatti. The entrance procession symbolized the path of the pilgrim people following in the footsteps of the saints.
This was followed by the particularly intense moment of the unveiling of the image of the Saint by the Archbishop, together with the priests, the Provincial and her Council.
In his homily, the Archbishop spoke of the universal call to holiness and urged those present to discover God’s invitation to holiness in their daily lives. The Eucharistic Celebration continued with devout participation and with the offering of prayers by the faithful, expressing the hopes of the Church and echoing the missionary compassion of Saint Maria Troncatti for the poor and suffering. The aarathi during the doxology, led by the Sisters of the Chetpet community, added a touch of cultural religiosity, emphasizing each person’s life offering along with the bread and wine.
After the final blessing, the parish priest, Fr. Thomas Elango, along with the Provincial, thanked the Archbishop, and the assembly was able to attend a short video presentation on the life and missionary spirit of Sister Maria, helping those present recognize her importance for this time. Subsequently, priests and representatives of various Congregations were honored by the Provincial with a sign of gratitude and communion. During the final song, souvenir images of the new Saint were then distributed to everyone.
The day concluded with a fraternal meal shared among priests, religious, teachers, choir members, friends, and the FMA, renewed in their commitment to bearing courageous testimony in the footsteps of Saint Maria Troncatti.
