Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala ,India: October 12, 2008 - IR Summary/TNN - A great news for India’s pride, Kerala Sister Alphonsa Bharanangnam near Kottayam in Kerala has become the first woman from India and second from Indian Roman Catholic church to get canonized.

Through the centuries, only one half-Indian, St Goncalo Garcia, martyred in Japan has been raised to the altar. In a country of a billion people, of which Christians are approximately 2%, Catholic saints do fall short. That, however, hasn't been for the lack of potential candidates.

Currently there are 14 Indian or India connected causes for canonization in various stages of investigation, two of them are from Goa — Blessed Joseph Vaz and Venerable Agenlo de Souza. Bl Vaz, beatified in 1995 is a step away from sainthood and Goa awaits the miracle that will take him there.

"We need a miracle that preferably has to be a medical healing that cannot be explained by medical science. This has to be certified by the doctor involved, then scrutinised by a group of doctors here and counter checked in Rome," says Fr Eremita Rebello, vice postulator for the cause for the canonization of Bl Vaz.

Somewhat similar is the case of Ven Agnelo, who to reach sainthood requires two miracles, one to be beatified and the other to be canonized.

"We are waiting for a miracle. Right now there is a case that is being scrutinised by the postulator in Rome," says Fr Tony Fernandes, the vice postulator for the cause for the canonization of Ven Agnelo. Though there are many claims to healings, through the intercession of the two Goan "saints", the hurdle comes in getting the doctors involved in certifying that the cures are beyond scientific explanation.

Where Bl Joseph Vaz is concerned, there are two cases in Goa and three in Sri Lanka, currently under investigation, before being sent to the Vatican. Sometimes the elusive miracle can slip by without the promoters of the cause realizing, as happened with Ven Agnelo. "We almost had a case," says Fr Fernandes. "In Gujarat a man born with one leg short came to the shrine, prayed and his leg was lengthened. Before we could get details he returned to wherever he had come from and we have been unable to trace him."

Finding a miracle that will stand rigid scrutiny isn't easy. Says Fr Francisco Caldeira, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, "The Vatican is very strict with recognizing miracles, not just with those from here, but even in Lourdes. There are many miracles ascribed to Our Lady of Lourdes, but few have been accepted by the Vatican." The Vatican rules are strict in such cases.

"If a case of cure does not meet the requirements of the Congregation for the causes of saints, there is no way it can be declared a miracle. If there is the slightest doubt that something in it can be medically explained, then it falls through," says Fr Rebello.

Every Friday, scores of pilgrims make their way to the Sanctuary of Bl Joseph Vaz at Sancoale where priests pray over the people, seeking a miraculous healing through the intercession of Bl Vaz. If it's Friday for Bl Vaz, then it is Thursday for Ven Agnelo, when hundreds of devotees climb the Pilar hillock for mass and to pray at the tomb of the Venerable. "I have seen people climb the steps on their knees, they cling to the statue of Ven Agnelo and cry, that is the kind of faith visible on these days," says Fr Fernandes.