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SAINT ALPHONSA
First Woman Saint from India

Blessed Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception from Kottayam, Kerala, India, was canonized on Oct. 12, 2008 at St. Peter’s Square, by Pope Benedict XVI.

Alphonsa, who was religious of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) is the first Indian woman to be canonized.

Born to Ouseph and Mariam on 19 August 1910, in Kerala, India.
She was Baptized as Anna, but her mother died when was only three months old. She was brought up by her aunt (mother’s sister).

Followed the example of Theresa of Lisieux and dedicated her entire life to Jesus.
Joined the Franciscan Calrist Congregation in 1928. Received the name Alphonsa at her first profession. Made her perpetual commitment on 12 August 1936.

She had many physical and spiritual sufferings, considered her entire life as living holocaust to God. Each suffering she offered as a beautiful flower in the wounds of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the end of her life, she was overwhelmed with great pain and frailty of the body, but in the midst of the excruciating pain she committed her soul to the heavenly bridegroom, peacefully reciting the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, on 28 July 1946, at the age of 36.

Pope John Paul II had beatified Sister Alphonsa on February 8, 1986.

The first Indian saint is a Franciscan Brother, St Gonzalo Garcia, Born in Vasai, near Mumbai and canonized in 1862. He died a martyr’s death in 1597 at Nagasaki, Japan, along with St Paul Miki and other Jesuits.

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The other three canonized on 12 October 2008 at St. Peter’s Square are:

1. Blessed Fr. Gaetano Errico, Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (1791-1860).

2. Blessed Maria Bernarda Butler, Swiss foundress of the Congregation of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (1848-1924).

3. Blessed Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran, Ecuadorian lay woman (1833-1869)