The first Indian Blessed will be canonized, “a call to sainthood”
by Nirmala Carvalho
The Congregation for the cause of the Saints has announced the approval of sainthood for Alfonsa of the Immaculate Conception, the first saint who lived and died in India. Card. Vithayathil invites the faithful to follow her life’s example, renewing the call to sainthood of every human being.
Mahe (AsiaNews) – The announcement of the canonization of Blessed Alphonsa Muttathupadathu.
“is a call to Holiness, very significant for these times in which we live: Her life though short and brief was marked by suffering which had a ‘salvific dimension”. This was the reaction of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, on the news that the Pope had approved the canonization of the first Indian saint who lived and died in India, June 1st last.
Thanks to this approval, explains he prelate to AsiaNews, “we give an evening stronger meaning to our State which is known as ‘God’s Own Country- and with the canonisation of Blessed Alphonsa, our Kerala is indeed God’s Own Country”.
All human beings he continues, “are called to Holiness and Blessed Alphonsa is witness to Holiness, - Her life though short and brief was marked by suffering which had a ‘salvific dimension. By her suffering Love she was witness of her immense love for Christ and the Church. Her Suffering Love, her communion with the Suffering of Jesus Christ on the Cross and her offering of her suffering for the Church are model for the people of modern society”.
In the India of today underscored card. Vithayathil, “with the Anti-Conversion Laws and some fringe elements in society targeting the Christians, with the canonisation of Blessed Alphonsa, people will begin to Believe that God is with the Catholic Church and people will know the truth of the Catholic Faith”. “May Blessed Alphonsa inspire and interceded for all people how to lead holy lives. May all peoples renew the call for Holiness in every aspect of their daily living”.
Alphonsa was born Anna Muttathupadathu in Kudamaloor village near Kottayam to Joseph and Mary Muttathupadathu, August 19, 1910. She lost her mother at a very young age and was brought up by her maternal aunt and educated by an uncle, a priest. At the age of 17, Alphonsa then joined the Immaculate Conception Congregation.
In 1936 she made her solemn vows in a Convent of the Poor Clares in Bharananganam, where she undertook teaching. However she was often afflicted with health problems, which eventually claimed her life July 28, 1946, at the age of 36.
A chapel in Bharanganam, is dedicated to Blessed Alphonsa , many people come and offers prayers and flowers and pray to her; and not just Catholics, but man Muslims and Hindu’s too, attracted by the purity of her young long suffering life and by her healing powers.
Fr. Francis Vadakel, lives in the sanctuary dedicated to the future saint and knew her well: “There was a grace on her face. – he told AsiaNews - Whatever problems she faced, her face always had a smile”
Indeed Blessed Alphonsa, the first Indian Saint was Gonsalo Garcia (1556-1597). He dead in Japan, he was one of the martyrs of Nagasaki.
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See also
Indian Catholics today celebrated the feast day of St Alphonsa
28/07/2020 17:08
28/07/2020 17:08
