For the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, the canonization of our Foundress, Saint Katharina Kasper, is a confirmation of what we have always known and treasured about her life and holiness. Our gratitude stems from the recognition of the universal Church that God’s goodness is manifested in her, so that we might share her witness of gospel living with the world. This simple but deeply spiritual peasant woman was canonized on Oct. 14 in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Italy, along with six other holy men and women of great charity. One of them was Pope Paul VI, who had beatified St. Katharina in 1978. Formerly known as Blessed Catherine Kasper the newly canonized saint is now known as Katharina Kasper, her German birth name. The miraculous healing of Br. Leo, a Sacred Heart brother who was a missionary in the diocese of Indore, Madhya Pradesh was the event that gave impetus to her canonization. A group of 23 individuals from India including PHJC Sisters, Associates, well-wishers and friends attended the canonization in Rome and the Mass of Thanksgiving in the diocese of Limburg in Germany.