Everything you wanted to know About Saint Alphonsa
It was on the 19th of August 1910, it is unknown whether the rays
of the morning sun were brighter than normal on that day. It’s also hard to say
if nature was more beautiful on that day. Maybe it was. Our knowledge is also
limited, anyone who lived at that time has thought of it that this day would be
remembered forever. Nobody could have imagined that 19th August 1910 would be
written in golden letters in the pages of history. Alphonsamma, who is a
prophetess of love, was brought to earth on that day by the Almighty. No one
except the Almighty could have known that a beautiful little girl born in
the village of Arpookkara in Kudamalur Parish at Kottayam may reach the heights
of glory and her heights of holiness would surpass even the heights of the angels.
It is the pride and joy of every Keralite and Malayalee that St. Alphonsa was
born in Kerala lived in Kerala and was called to heaven from Kerala.
A girl born in a small village in Kerala, a nun who lived within
the four walls of the monastery and suffered from various ailments, both
physical and mental, how did she become the center of attention of the world?
Are there any notable discoveries she has made? Does she have any world-class
literary works? Nothing. In her lifetime, she did not establish any
monasteries, did not construct any buildings, nor did she hold any positions of
authority. The only thing she knew was to endure and love. Like St. Little
Flower, Alphonsa was a virgin who lived for Jesus every moment of her life. She
made patience the road to holiness because of her love for Jesus.
Childhood and Early Years
She was born to Joseph Muttathupadathu and Mary Puthukari in a
Syro-Malabar Nasrani family. She was the fourth daughter of the Joseph Mary
couple. Her parents called her Annakutty. The baptism of Annakutty took place
at the Kudamalur church on 27th August 1910. Annakutt’s mother passed away on
September 16th, 29 days after she was born. Her mother left the responsibility
for the care of her beloved daughter to her sister Annamma at the time of her
death. Annamma loved and raised her more than her own children. Annakutty
received her first holy communion at Kudamalur Church on November 27th, 1917.
Small but important things to observe in St. Alphonsa
She received
several marriage proposals from prestigious families. But her desire was to
be a bride of God and serve people. When she realized that her physical beauty
was an obstacle to leading a monastic life, she displayed an act of extraordinary courage that was ready to fire to gain the backing of ugliness. She burned her
legs, mutilated them and she was unable to walk for some time. Alphonsa has
stated that the saint who had most influenced her is St. Kochu Theresa (Little Flower). A lot of times
she has read the biography of Little Flower. Her childish innocence,
simplicity, modesty, and sincerity to God impressed Alphonsa a lot. She had
longed and tried to imitate Little Flower. On Pentecost day of 1927, exactly on
May 27, Annakutty bids farewell to her home and joins the Franciscan Clara
monastery. The Franciscan Church and Clara congregation signed by Francis of
Assisi and St. Clara built a golden path to her Holiness.
Official life of Alphonsa
Alphonsa
was not only a nun but also an educator. Education has been associated with
religion throughout history. In Alphonsa’s life, the church prepared her to be
a teacher. The Vakakkad St. Paul’s LP School in the Diocese of Pala was lucky
enough to get Alphonsa as a teacher. During her regular appointment time of
nine’ O clock, Alphonsa regularly checked the notebooks of her students. In
addition to Mathematics, Malayalam, and Science the children were taught moral
stories, Bible stories, and stories of saints. As well as teaching children, it
is said that Alphonsa assisted the headmistress in her administrative duties.
Despite her ill health, Alphonsa also took care of the convent’s gardens and
altar arrangements. While doing novitiate at Changanassery Clara Convent she
was caught a deadly disease. She prayed to Fr. Chavara Kuriakose Eliyas and miraculously
recovered through his intercession. Alphonsa told about this miracle to those who visited
her. Alphonsa and Fr. Chavara both were beatified at the
same time, by the same Pope. That too is a wonderful divine plan.
Sr.
Alphonsa endured a great deal of suffering during her lifetime. As the years
passed by her beloved Heavenly Father increased her participation in the
passion of His beloved son. She suffered not only physical pain but also
emotional distress due to misinterpretations and misjudgments. Even so, she
kept her serenity and her trust in God during all of those sufferings. After a
lot of suffering and pain, she was called to heaven on 28 July 1946. On the
next day onwards first, children and then others began to crowd her grave to seek her intercession. How many stories of miraculous healings? Where
modern medicine has failed intercession of Alphonsa is winning. She is an
unexplainable phenomenon.
A Window to Heaven
Less
than fifty people attended the funeral of Sr. Alphonsa, yet at the ceremony at
which she was declared blessed more than five lakh people attended there. With
a flower, God can create a spring. A little saint named Alphonsa was crowned
with glory by God. On 12 October 2008, when hundreds of cardinals and bishops
wore their official robes, in the presence of thousands of priests and nuns from
all over the world, when thousands of Malayalees from all over the world
transformed the Vatican into Kerala, when three thousand Indian National flags
flutter in the autumn breeze of the Eternal City, when the melodies of divine
praises ascended to Heaven, Pope Benedict XVI, the successor of St. Paul and head of
the catholic church made the important announcement. During the canonization ceremony,
more than three lakh people witnessed the proclamation of the Holy Word.
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