Blessed Mariam Vattalil

Rani Maria Vattalil, FCC (29 January 1954 – 25 February 1995) was an Indian Catholic religious sister and social worker of the Franciscan Clarists who worked in the Diocese of Indore. Vattalil, a Syro-Malabar Eastern Catholic, dedicated herself to catechetical formation and educational instruction in different areas of the region. She was vocal in matters of social justice, which led to her murder by those opposed to her aid of the poor. Vattali's cause for canonization was opened after her death, and she was beatified in Indore on 4 November 2017. Mariam Vattalil was born in Kerala, India, on 29 January 1954 as the second of seven children to Paily and Eliswa Vattalil. Her baptism was celebrated at the Church of Saint Thomas on the following 5 February, with her name being chosen in honour of the Mother of God. Her siblings were: Stephen, Annie, Varghese, Thressiamma, Celine (later became a Franciscan clarist as "Selmy Paul") and Lusy. Vattalil received both her First Communion and Confirmation on 30 April 1966 and often frequented catechism lessons. She studied at a government-run primary school. Vattalil joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation in Kidangoor, Kerala, following the completion of her secondary schooling and assumed the religious name of Rani Maria upon joining and entering their novitiate. Her cousin Cicily would become Soni Maria. The two set off for the convent and entered the order on 3 July 1971 for their aspirancy period, which concluded on 30 October 1972. Their postulancy spanned from 1 November 1972 to 29 April 1973 and their novitiate spanned from 30 April 1973 to 20 April 1974. Her first profession was made on 1 May 1974 before she was sent to Saint Mary's Convent in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, where she arrived on 24 December 1975; she served there as a teacher from 8 September 1976 to 7 August 1978. Her duties continued there and she made her final profession of vows on 22 May 1980 at Angamaly, Kerala, in the church of Saint Hormis.