Many priests and guests who attended the ceremony at the St Peter's Square said it was a great day for them particularly when Christians have been targeted in states like Orissa and Karnataka.
After her canonisation, sister Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception has become the first woman from India to be conferred sainthood and the second Roman Catholic from country after Gonsalo Garcia, who was conferred the honour in 1862.
Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes and other dignitaries from Kerala attended the special mass during which Sister Alphonsa was conferred Sainthood as enthusiastic Indians waved the national tri-colour at the ceremony.
Image: Nuns pray at Sister Alphonsa's tomb during a special holy mass during celebrations in Bharananganam.
Photograph: Raveendran/AFP/Getty Images
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