28th Jul - ST ALPHONSA MUTTATHUPADATHU (1910-1946)

 Annakkutty was born in Kudamaloor village to Joseph and Mary Muttathupadathu in 1910. She was baptized on 27 August 1910 under the patronage of Saint Anna. Anna’s mother died

    when she was young, so her maternal aunt raised her. She had her schooling in Arpookara and Muttuchira. An accident in 1923 left her permanently disabled. 

    She joined the Poor Clares in Bharananganam in 1927 and took the name Alphonsa. She made her final profession in 1936. Her life was one of suffering. She died on 28 July 1946,

    aged 35. She was buried at Bharananganam in the Diocese of Palai. She was proclaimed Blessed by Pope John Paul II in Kottayam on the 8th of February 1986. 

    She was canonized on the 12th of October 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI. With that Canonization, the Church in India presents its first Saint to the veneration of the faithful of the 

    whole world. Faithful from every part of the world have come together in a single act of thanksgiving to God in her name. 

    Pope Benedict XVI recalled Saint Alphonsa's life as one of "extreme physical and spiritual suffering.




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