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Regina Miriam Vattalil was born on January 29, 1954 in Pulluvazhy, Ernakulam district of Kerala, India, second of seven children. Her family were members of the Syro-Malabar Rite of the Catholic Church.
When she finished high school, she and her cousin Cicily decided to become religious sisters in the Roman Catholic Church.
They entered the Franciscan Clarist Congregation in Kidangoor in July of 1971. From that time until April 20, 1974, they did their aspirancy, postulancy and novitiate. In religious life, Rani became known as Sister Rani Maria, and Cicily became Sr. Soni Maria. They made their first profession on May 1, 1974.
After her first profession, Sr. Rani was sent to St. Mary’s Convent in Bijnor where she arrived on Christmas Eve, 1975. From September of 1976 to August 1978, Sr. Rani taught school. In May of 1980, she made her final vows.
In July of 1983, Sr. Rani was transferred to Odagady and was the coordinator of social activities. She became known for her strong commitment to social justice, especially for the landless poor. During this period, Sr. Rani, in addition to being the superior of the convent, received a degree in sociology from APS University in Rewa. Later, she was transferred to Udayanagar in May of 1992.
Her advocacy made enemies with various landlords who despised Sr. Rani’s advocacy for the landless poor. Some of her enemies were so angry, they decided to kill her.
On the morning of February 25, 1995, Sr. Rani got on a bus to go to Indore. When she entered the bus, the driver told her to leave her bag with him and go to the back of the bus to sit. This was strange, for usually Sisters were always invited to sit near the front of the bus. Sr. Rani did as she was told and sat with three men in the back of the bus. What she didn’t know, was that the three men had the intention of killing her.
As the bus continued, the men began harassing Sr. Rani, and they asked the bus driver to stop the bus. One of the men Samundar Singh, got out of the bus, broke a coconut against a rock, and then re-entered the bus to give pieces of coconut to the passengers. When he got to Sr. Rani, however, he offered her a piece but quickly withdrew it to humiliate her. He then drew a knife and began stabbing her in the abdomen. He then dragged her out of the bus to the horror of the other passengers, and continued stabbing her. Many of the passengers fled the scene from fright. Her body was found in the afternoon and taken to the episcopal residence where it was cleaned and laid in state.
Mr. Singh was convicted of Sr. Rani’s murder and sentenced to life in prison, but he was released in 2006 for good behavior. Sr. Rani’s sister visited Mr. Singh in prison and forgave him, and this made a great impression on him. Sr. Rani’s mother also visited Mr. Singh in prison in 2003 and kissed his hands to show forgiveness. Rami’s family considers him part of the family today.
Sr. Rani was beatified on November 4, 2017 in Indore. Mr. Singh, the killer, was thrilled to be able to attend Blessed Rani’s beatification. A documentary film, The Heart of a Murderer, was made about Samundar Singh and his conversion.
Blessed Rani Maria Vattalil’s feast day is February 25.
