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Canonization Sister Alphonsa became the first Indian woman Christian Saint when Pope Benedict XVI canonized her along with three other Catholic figures on Sunday in a ceremony which was attended by about 40,000 people. There were thousands of Indian pilgrims who were present at the ceremony. Pope criticized the anti-Christian violence in India and Iraq. It must be learnt that almost 50 Christians have been killed in the anti-Christian violence in the Orissa and some other adjoining states. Sister Alphonsa’s canonization will give a big boost to the morale of minority Indian Christians who are living in relief camps for weeks in a very pathetic condition because of fear of attacks by the violent Hindu mobs. Pope told Indian Pilgrims that Alphonsa’s “heroic virtues of patience, fortitude and perseverance in the midst of deep suffering remind us that God always provides the strength we need to overcome every trial.” His words remark the tough times Indian Christians are going through.

Saints The three others who have been canonized are Ecuadorian Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran (1832-1869), Swiss nun Maria Bernarda Buetler (1848-1924) and Italy’s Gaetano Errico (1791-1860). Gaetano Errico was the priest and founder of Missionaries of Sacred Hearts of Jesus while Swiss nun Maria Bernarda Buetler was foundress of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Mary Help of Christians and Narcisa de Jesus Martillo was an ordinary Equadorian laywoman who used to help the poor and sick people.

Saint Alphonsa Born on August 19,1910 in Kudamaloor near Kottayam, Alphonsa Muttathupadathu was the daughter of Joseph and Mary. She had died in July 1946 and he canonization process had started 55 years ago. Pope John Paul II had beautified her in 1986 and her name for sainthood was cleared by Pope Benedict in June 2007. numerous miracles are associated with her and her canonization is the recognition of her those miracles. She is the second Indian who has been canonized as the first was the son of an Indian mother and Portuguese father, a Franciscan monk named Gonzalo Garcia. Saint Alphonsa is popularity known as Alphonsamma or Mother Alphonsa in India. Saint Mary’s Church in Kudamaloor and Fraciscan Clarist Convent in Bharananganam are some of the famous places related to her and are the famous pilgrimage destinations.