canonization of Sister Alphonsa's from India on Oct 12

by Amitjha | October 9, 2008 at 09:10 pm

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St. Alphonsa Muttathupadathu (The Passion Flower) is the first Indian woman to be elevated to sainthood. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986 and decided as a saint by the pope Benedict XVI onMarch 1, 2008. The official declaration would be on October 12, 2008. On February 8, 1986, almost 40 years after her death, Pope John Paul II beatified her at Kottayam. On June 1, 2007 Pope Benedict XVI authorised her canonization. She will be the first female saint from India and the second saint from India. In the 19th century, Saint Gonsalo Garcia, born in Vasai near Mumbai to an Indian mother and Portuguese father in 1556, was declared a saint.

Born as Annakkutty (little Anna) in Kudamaloor, a rural village in Kottayam district,Kerala, India, to Joseph and Mary Muttathupadathu. She was baptized on August 27, 1910. Anna's mother died when she was very young, so her maternal aunt raised her. Anna was educated by her great-uncle Father Joseph Muttathupadathu. When Anna was 3 years old, she contracted eczema and suffered from it for over a year.

She died on July 28, 1946, aged 35. She is buried at Bharananganam, South India in the Diocese of Pala.

NEW DELHI: A 13-member official Indian delegation, led by Union labour minister Oscar Fernandes, left on Thursday night for the Vatican to attend thecanonization of Sister Alphonsa on October 12.

Pope Benedict XVI will declare Sister Alphonsa a saint of the Roman Catholic Church at the sprawling St Peter's Square on Sunday. Sister Alphonsa is the first Indian woman to be elevated to sainthood.

Sister Alphonsa, who was born in Kudamaloor village, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986 at Kottayam, 40 years after her death. Pope Benedict XVI decided to canonize her in March this year. She will be the second saint from India after Gonsalo Garcia, born in Vasai near Mumbai to an Indian mother and Portuguese father in 1556.

The Indian delegation includes Kerala public works department minister Mons Joseph, P C Thomas MP, former Kerala finance minister K M Mani, MLAs P C George and K V Thomas, former Meghalaya governor M M Jacob and Mahatma Gandhi University vice-chancellor Jancy James.

Mani, leader of the Kerala Congress (M), is the MLA of Palai constituency where Sister Alphonsa is buried in Bharananganam, and is one of three people who will carry the holy relics to the Pope during the canonization ceremony.

"This is the first time that India has a saint who was born, lived and died in this country," said Mani. "It is an emotional and proud moment." Church leaders say about 10,000 Indians will attend the canonization of Sister Alphonsa. A number of them are Indians from European countries and the US.

During the beatification of Mother Teresa on October 17, 2003, the official Indian delegation was led by then vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

Cannonization of Sister alphonsa is an event in Catholic Church as per its rituals.Actually it is a declaration by the Catholic Church authority that a person who died is considered as a Saint after his/her death to show that his/her spirit is still living and is in Heaven.Catholic Church believes that man after death will either go to Heaven or Hell as per his/her deeds.A person who did good things to or in the society will go to Heavan .Otherwise to hell.In between the two also there is a place.I Forgets its name

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canonization of Sister Alphonsa's from India on Oct 12

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