St. Alphonsa was born as Anna Muttathupadath on August 19, 1910, in the parish of Kudamaloor, Kerala, to Joseph and Mary Muttathupadath. She was baptized on August 27, receiving the baptismal name Anna, and was affectionately called Annakutty. Tragically, her mother passed away three months after her birth.
Annakutty began her education at Arpookara and later moved to the Muttuchira Government School, where she continued her studies under the care of her maternal aunt, Annamma Muricken. Her aunt, while affectionate, was also strict, aiming to raise Annakutty as a respectable housewife for a suitable groom. However, inspired by a vision of St. Therese of Lisieux, Annakutty felt a strong calling to religious life. To avoid marriage, she made a dramatic gesture by burning her foot in an ash pit of burning husks, demonstrating her resolve. Faced with Annakutty’s determination, her aunt eventually allowed her to join a convent.
In 1927, on the feast of Pentecost, Annakutty entered the Clarist convent at Bharananganam. On August 2, 1928, she received the postulant’s veil and the name Alphonsa. Her vestition took place on May 19, 1930. Following this, she pursued higher studies at St. Theresa’s School in Chenganacherry and later taught for a year at Vakakkad. Sr. Alphonsa began her novitiate on August 12, 1935. During this period, she experienced severe hemorrhages, and it was feared she might have to leave the convent. However, after a novena seeking the intercession of Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, she was miraculously healed on the ninth day. She completed her novitiate and made her solemn profession of religious vows on August 12, 1936.
Throughout her life, Sr. Alphonsa suffered from frequent illnesses and severe pain, which she bore with great joy and a spirit of sacrifice. She encouraged her companions and novices to accept suffering cheerfully, using biblical imagery of a grain of wheat that must decay to bring forth new life, and grapes that must be crushed to produce wine, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ.
St. Alphonsa passed away on July 28, 1946. Her funeral was simple and sparsely attended, but soon after, schoolchildren who loved her reported receiving favors through her intercession. Her tomb at Bharananganam became a popular pilgrimage site.
The diocesan process for her beatification began on December 2, 1953, inaugurated by Cardinal Tisserant. After a lengthy process, she was officially declared to have practiced Christian virtues heroically on November 9, 1984. A miracle attributed to her intercession was recognized by Pope John Paul II on July 6, 1985. St. Alphonsa was beatified in her homeland by Pope John Paul II on February 8, 1986, during his visit to India. She was later canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI, becoming the first woman of Indian origin to be canonized.
Chronology
- 1910 August 19: Born at the Muttathupadam house, Kudamaloor
- 1916 May 16 : Started her primary education at Thonnankuzhy Govt. School. Arpookara : She did standard 1-3 there
- 27 : First Holy communion
- 1920 : Joins the Govt. School at Muttuchira, Alphonsa did standards 4-6 there
- 1925, Jan.21 : Confirmation at the Forane Church, Muttuchira
- 1928, Aug.2 : Joins the Clarist Convent at Bharananganam as a postulant.Receives the postulant’s veil. Receives the name Alphonsa
- 1930 May 19 : Receives the religious habit at St. Mary’s Church, Bharananganam
- 1932-33 : Works as a teacher at Vakakkad
- 1935,Aug.12 to 1936 Aug.12 : undergoes canonical novitiate at the clarist Convent at Changanacherry.
- 1936, Aug.12 : Profession of perpetual vows
- 1946, July 28 : Death
- 1953, Dec.2 : Inauguration of the Diocesan Tribunal for Beatification- Becomes Servant of God
- 1957, Apr.13 : Exhumation
- 1980, July19 : The Apostolic Tribunal starts functioning
- 1985, Aug.13 : Tomb Opened for the second time
- 1986, Feb. 8 : Beatification by H.H. John Paul II at Kottayam
- 1996, Jully 19 : Commemorative stamp released in Connection with the Golden Jubilee Of her death
- 2002, Feb.26 : Tribunal for the investigation of miracles Inaugurated
- 2007, June 1 : Confirmation of miracles at the Vatican
- 2008, Oct 12 : Canonization by H.H. Pope Benedict XVI
- 2008, Nov 16 : Govt. of India releases a stamp to Commemorate the canonization
- 2009 Aug. 23 : Inauguration of the birth centenary year of St. Alphonsa and the releasing of the Commemorative and circulation coins By Shri. Pranab Kumar Mukherjee(Hon. Minister of Finance, Government of India)
- 2010 Aug.12 : Conclusion of the birth centenary year of St. Alphonsa. The President of India, Smt. Prathibha Devi Singh Patil,visits the Tom of St. Alphonsa and pays her respect.
Please pray for all those who have died recently:
Thomas Mani (87), George Kakkassery (75) Thomas Chummar (81) P V Varghese Punnackapadavil (88) Marykutty Mathew (76)
Commemorate the Death Anniversaries of Our Loved Ones:
Prof.Baby Varghese Menacherry (61)2001.
