Mangaluru: Eucharistic celebrations led by the Mangaluru Catholic Diocese Bishop Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, will be held at Sacred Heart Monastery, Cloistered Carmel in Kankanady, Mangaluru, on May 17 at 4.30 pm, following the canonization of Blessed Mariam of Jesus Crucified by Pope Benedict at St Peter’s Square in Vatican.

A light and sound programme on the life of Mariam Baouardy, by ‘White doves’ at the entrance ground of Fr Muller Hospital will be the highlight of the event. A symposium will be held on May 16 from 3 pm to 5 pm, for priests and nuns at St Ann’s College of Education.

Mariam Baouardy or  Blessed Mariam of Jesus Crucified had played a pivotal role in establishment of Sacred Heart Monastery.

Born in Ibilin in Palestine, Mary Baouardy had to move to Alexandria in Egypt, along with her relatives after losing her parents. It was here that a servant made an attempt to kill Mary, but she miraculously recovered to life and joined the Disclosed Carmelite order and entered the Carmel of Pau, to be accepted there.

Responding to an invitation from Bishop Marie Ehprem Pau Carmel, Mary Baouardy, along with three other carmelites reached Mangaluru on November 19, 1870. Mary took her vows on November 21, 1871. For two years, she stayed in St Ann’s Convent. She left to Pau in September 1875 and  helped to find a new monastery in Bethlehem. She died on August 26 1878 in Bethlehem.