Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception
Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception (19 August 1910 – 28 July 1946), born as Anna Muttathupadathu, was an Indian Catholic nun and educator. She is the first woman of Indian origin to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, and the first canonized saint of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
Born in Kudamalur, Kerala, Alphonsa joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation at a young age. She served as a teacher and faced numerous health challenges throughout her life. Despite her physical sufferings, she was known for her spiritual devotion and cheerful demeanor. Alphonsa's life was marked by simplicity and a deep commitment to her faith. She taught at St. Mary's High School in Bharananganam but her tenure was often interrupted by illness.
After her death in 1946, many people began to attribute miracles to her intercession. The process for her canonization began in 1955, and she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986 during his visit to India. In the 1990s, a commemorative postal stamp was issued in her honor, marking her as the first woman from Kerala to be featured on an Indian stamp. Alphonsa was canonized on 12 October 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI, making her the first canonized saint from India.
In the Martyrology
- July 28 Saint Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception Muttathupadathu, Clarisse virgin