Indian nun Mariam Thresia to be declared a saint today at the Vatican

Pope Francis will canonise five new saints on Sunday, including Sister Mariam Thresia from Kerala, India. 

Minister of state for external affairs, V Muraleedharan, who himself is from the southern Indian state of Kerala, will be representing India during the ceremony.

She will be canonised on Sunday morning at Mass in St Peter's Square along with Cardinal John Henry Newman, Giuseppina Vannini, Dulce Lopes Pontes, and Marquerite Bays.

According to the Vatican, she had "mystical experiences, including the gift of healing and prophecy".

Born in 1876, and named after Saint Teresa of Avila, she was the founder of Congregation of the Holy Family of Thrissur district in Kerala.

In 2000, on April 9, Sister Thresia was beatified by Pope John Paul II. Beatification is the first step towards canonisation and permitting public veneration.

According to the Vatican, she received stigmata or appearance of bodily wound corresponding to crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ around wrists and feet, something she kept as a secret.

Many miraculous cures have been linked to her including of one Mathew Pellissery who had congenital club feet but was cured after praying and invoking the help of Sister Mariam Thresia. Mathew's case was examined by the Vatican that played a role in Sister Mariam Thresia's sainthood.