Indian Catholics today celebrated the feast day of St Alphonsa
Benedict XVI canonised her in 2008 celebrating the young nun’s “extreme physical and spiritual suffering”. Yesterday, Jinil Joseph was one of the few faithful present at her tomb. His miraculous recovery at the age of two was an element in her canonisation process.
Bharanganam (AsiaNews) – Indian Catholics today celebrated the feast day of Saint Alphonsa, the saint who suffered physically during much of her short life (36 years).
Alphonsa was canonised in 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI. During the ceremony, the pontiff celebrated the young nun’s "extreme physical and spiritual suffering".
Saint Alphonsa was born in 1910 and died on 28 July 1946 in Bharanaganam, in the Diocese of Palai, where her grave is venerated by thousands of people from across India.
The saint is known for her physical suffering because she was bedridden for long periods of time during her convent life. For the same reason, Catholics in India pray to her every time they are ill or suffer some form of pain.
Yesterday, during the solemn Mass celebrated at the saint’s tomb, Bishop Joseph Kallaranhattu of Palai said that the grave is a place where one can find moments of strength.
In his homily, the bishop noted that like Mother Mary, Saint Alphonsa could stand near the cross to overcome her difficulties.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, few people were allowed to take part in the ceremony at the tomb.
Usually, a ten-day festival is celebrated each, with solemn ceremonies on 28 July. This year, the tomb can still be visited but under strict government restrictions.
Yesterday, Jinil Joseph was one of the few faithful present at the tomb. His miraculous recovery at the age of two was an element in the process of Saint Alphonsa’s canonisation.
Jinil was born with a clubfoot. His parents, who lived near Saint Alphonsa’s shrine, regularly visited her grave with the boy and at the age of two he was miraculously healed.
Although he doesn't remember much of that time, Jinil says that his only wish is to celebrate a Mass at Saint Alphonsa’s tomb. The young man from the Diocese of Palai is currently studying in the seminary to become a priest. (BV)
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