Blessed Rani Maria stands out for many other reasons as well. She is on the road to sainthood today, which makes her life all the more endearing, memorable, and inspiring. She was born on January 29, 1954, nine months after I was born. She was given the baptismal name Mariam, after Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus.
She chose to be a nun of her own volition. Her family would have been happier if she had studied, managed to get a job, got married, and had children and grandchildren. She wanted to be a nun and follow in the footsteps of Saint Teresa of Kolkata, who wanted every nun to ‘be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.’
Blessed Maria wanted to work in His vineyard, and that is how she reached Uttar Pradesh, where she earned a name as a passionate missionary who would run when she was asked to walk. Her real life started when she reached the diocese of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, and she got involved in the people’s lives. She knew that there is no greater service than giving oneself to His cause.
The world was virtually taken by surprise when in 1985, Pope John Paul II visited the prison to meet Mehmet Ali Agca, who had tried to assassinate him two years earlier. He was not as close to his victim as Godse in Delhi was. He could only injure and not kill the Pope.
It was the first time in the history of the church that a Pope went to the prison, shook hands with his would-be assassin, pardoned him, and prayed for him.