Alphonsa- The First Indian Woman Saint

Topic:- Saint Alphonsa - The First Indian Woman Saint.

Author:- Sr. Leela Moozhayil DSP

Sr. Leela Moozhayil's native place is Palai, Kerala.Her father is Thomas and her mother is Aleykutty. She studied at St. Mary's Girls' High school, Palai. She wanted to join Religious life so after her SSLC, she went to see the Parish Priest to get some information about different Congregation. She was interested in Social work, Writing. Some Sisters of Daughter of St. Paul, visited their Parish. She met them . She liked very much the work of Mass Media. Then she decided to join their Congregation. She joined the Congregation in 1961. She made her First vows in 1966 and Final vows in 1971.

St. Alphonsa's Convent is very close to Sr. Leela's Convent. Sr. Leela's Parents used to go every year to Bharananganam for the feast of St. Alphonsa. After joining the Convent, Sr. Leela went often to St. Alphonsa's tomb in Bharananganam. She liked the life of St. Alphonsa and thus she was inspired to write about St. Alphonsa. Sr. Leela Moozhayil's other Publications are as follows;


By the same Author…..
v Remembering Mother Teresa
v Remembering Pope John Paul II
v Life of St. Paul
v Stories and Parables of Jesus
v Happy Fish and Loving Ants
v My Guardian Angel & Me
v I am A Child of God
v Bible Stories
v Words of comfort


Publications:- Pauline Publications

This book is Published by the Pauline Sisters Bombay Society. Pauline Publications is an activity of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international religious congregation, using the communications media to spread the Gospel message and to promote the dignity of all people. It is Printed by Tresa Nirappel at St. Paul Press Training School, Bandra, Mumbai.


Ø Website:- www.paulineindia.org
Ø E-mail :- editorial@paulineindia.org

Form :- It's a Biography of St. Alphonsa.

Theme:-

The main theme of this book is that to live a life of virtues. Never to turned back when difficulties come on our way. Many of us can't accept pain and pressures of life, the frustrations and the failures which are part and parcel of everyday life. We need to accept it in faith like Saint Alphonsa. To learn to suffer in silent.


Summary:-

12 October 2008 was a great day for Indian Nation to be proud of St. Alphonsa as Pope Benedict officially declared her a SAINT. [ The First Indian Woman Saint]

St. Alphonsa's native place was Kudamaloor, in the Archdiocese of Changnacherry, in central Kerala. Her father was Joseph Muttathupadathu Pazhooparampil and her mother was Mary of Pathukary family at Muttuchira. She was born on 12 Aug. 1910 as the fourth child of her parents. The child was baptized on 26 Aug. at her parish church at Kudamaloor. Her baptismal name was Anna, but everyone called her Annakutty. A few weeks after the birth of Annakutty, her mother expired and thereupon her aunt took the infant into her care. This foster mother was a strict disciplinarian. This aunt and Annakutty's paternal grandmother exercised great influence in the formation of her character. She was trained to cultivate the habit of reciting little prayers throughout the day. She received Holy Communion on 27 Nov. 1917, and it was one of the most important events in her life. Annakutty received the sacrament of Confirmation on 21 Jan. 1925, at Muttuchira Forane church, from Mar Thomas, the bishop of Changanacherry. Upto the age of four, she was afflicted by various ailments. Even as a child she showed great compassion to the poor and needy. Her dress and appearance were always neat and tidy. Her primary education was at Arpookara and Muttuchira. Her name in the school register was A. E. Anna.

Annakutty was a girl of extraordinary charm and beauty. In addition to physical charm, she was adorned with virtues like modesty, piety, love and kindness. In those days parents used to marry off their daughters very early and proposals for her marriage were made as she reached the age of thirteen. But Annakutty was adamant in her decision to dedicate herself totally to God and faced all the obstacles on her path heroically. She joined the Clarist congregation to become a nun in 1927. On 28 Aug. 1928, she received the aspirant's veil and adopted her religious name, 'Alphonsa'. She had a strong desire to become a saint therefore she used to fast and pray ardently. She received religious habit on 19 Aug. 1930[ the next stage in becoming a nun] in accordance with the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. In 1932-33 she worked as a primary school teacher at Vakakkad. There she won the hearts of her students and colleagues. Sr. Alphonsa was constantly afflicted by various ailments throughout her religious life. She made her final profession on 12 Aug. 1936 to become a full-fledged nun. When a group of young sisters approached her in their pain and suffering asking for spiritual advice She told them that if they are purified through pain and suffering they shall become strong in the spirit.

Sr. Alphonsa had occasions for mental sufferings too. There were a few in her community who disbelieved her innocence and misunderstood her simplicity. Such occasions were very painful for her as she would never judge others imprudently. She had a great devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus. She led a life of innocence free from every kind of sin. Sr. Alphonsa had a great trust in the power of prayer. Her deep faith in God had encouraged her to take the sufferings of others on herself. Sr. Alphonsa was aware of the basic Christian principle of salvation through suffering and resurrection through death. The pure soul of Sr. Alphonsa flew to her celestial abode on Sunday 28 July 1946. She was only 36 years old. The next day her body was buried in the new cemetery chapel at Bharananganam. It was Fr. Romulus who preached the sermon at her funeral. He said: " With deep conviction I can say that we are participating in the funeral of a saintly sister. She is the greatest among the great personalities who lived in India within two thousand years so there is no need to mourn the death of this holy person. Let us rejoice that we have got a mediatrix in heaven….."



There is a quite long and tedious process to declare somebody a saint. Here are the steps:-

ROAD TO SAINTHOOD.
Step -1
Diocesan Investigation
1. A diocese, parish or congregation petitions the bishop of the diocese in which the candidate died to open the process for canonization
2. After an approval from the Vatican, the bishop forms a tribunal.
3. The tribunal summons witnesses to recount the candidate's " heroic exercise of Christian deeds " and collects documents.
4. The candidate is bestowed as Servant of God.


Step -2
Vatican Investigation
1. All documents are passed on to Congregation of Cause of Saints at the Vatican.
2. Nine theologians examine the cause.
3. If passed, the cause is examined by the Congregation of Cause of Saints.
4. If passed, the cause is presented to the Pope for approval. A decree is passed and read publicly.

Step -3
Beatification
1. Miracle attributed to the candidate to be presented.
2. Appropriate investigation into the miracle by the Vatican.
3. If approved, the Pope declares the candidate beatified and grants the title, Blessed.

Step -4
Canonisation

A posthumous miracle occurred through the intercession of the Blessed and happened after the beatification to be presented.
Appropriate investigation into the miracle including confirmation by medical doctors, etc.
The Pope decides on the canonisation.

Comment:-
I really appreciate Sr. Leela Moozhayil for her wonderful work. I knew about St. Alphonsa but after reading this book I came to know her deeper that her vision was rooted in God. She could see everything in a broad faith perspective. St. Alphonsa has become a part of my life. Sr. Leela has written this book using simple language and benefit of this that everybody can understand easily. She has explained each stage of her life in such a way that touches the heart of the readers. But I could not include everything in summary such as Miracles which took place through her. The book is very attractive, interesting and also inspiring. Congratulations !

Selection of the Book:-

I have selected this book because Saint Alphonsa was a Nun. She was not a famous person. She had not done any meritorious act in the sight of the world. She spent much of her life on a sick bed but she became a Saint.[ the first Indian woman saint] I wanted to know her more.
Her way of life was very simple. She suffered in silent. She was very loving, kind, forgiving, compassionate. She is a challenge for those who are enchanted by the riches and prosperity of the world. She is a very good example for all of us to follow her path. She inspires me to live life like her and for that I ask God's grace. May she inspire and bless all those who are in need and also those who read.