LIFE OF SAINT ALPHONSA
12 October 2008 was the day, St. Alphonsa was declared as a saint.
Biography:
St. Alphonsa's native place was Kudamaloor, in the Archdiocese of Changnacherry, in central Kerala. Her father was Joseph Muttathupadathu Pazhooparampil and her mother was Mary of Pathukary family at Muttuchira. She was born on 12 Aug. 1910 as the fourth child of her parents. The child was baptized on 26 Aug. at her parish church at Kudamaloor. Her baptismal name was Anna, but everyone called her Annakutty. A few weeks after the birth of Annakutty, her mother expired and thereupon her aunt took the infant into her care. This foster mother was a strict disciplinarian. This aunt and Annakutty's paternal grandmother exercised great influence in the formation of her character. She was trained to cultivate the habit of reciting little prayers throughout the day. She received Holy Communion on 27 Nov. 1917, and it was one of the most important events in her life. Annakutty received the sacrament of Confirmation on 21 Jan. 1925, at Muttuchira Forane church, from Mar Thomas, the bishop of Changanacherry. Upto the age of four, she was afflicted by various ailments. Even as a child she showed great compassion to the poor and needy. Her dress and appearance were always neat and tidy. Her primary education was at Arpookara and Muttuchira. Her name in the school register was A. E. Anna.
Annakutty was a girl of extraordinary charm and beauty. In addition to physical charm, she was adorned with virtues like modesty, piety, love and kindness. In those days parents used to marry off their daughters very early and proposals for her marriage were made as she reached the age of thirteen. But Annakutty was adamant in her decision to dedicate herself totally to God and faced all the obstacles on her path heroically. She joined the Clarist congregation to become a nun in 1927. On 28 Aug. 1928, she received the aspirant's veil and adopted her religious name, 'Alphonsa'. She had a strong desire to become a saint therefore she used to fast and pray ardently. She received religious habit on 19 Aug. 1930[ the next stage in becoming a nun] in accordance with the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. In 1932-33 she worked as a primary school teacher at Vakakkad. There she won the hearts of her students and colleagues. Sr. Alphonsa was constantly afflicted by various ailments throughout her religious life. She made her final profession on 12 Aug. 1936 to become a full-fledged nun. When a group of young sisters approached her in their pain and suffering asking for spiritual advice She told them that if they are purified through pain and suffering they shall become strong in the spirit.
Sr. Alphonsa had occasions for mental sufferings too. There were a few in her community who disbelieved her innocence and misunderstood her simplicity. Such occasions were very painful for her as she would never judge others imprudently. She had a great devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus. She led a life of innocence free from every kind of sin. Sr. Alphonsa had a great trust in the power of prayer. Her deep faith in God had encouraged her to take the sufferings of others on herself. Sr. Alphonsa was aware of the basic Christian principle of salvation through suffering and resurrection through death. The pure soul of Sr. Alphonsa flew to her celestial abode on Sunday 28 July 1946. She was only 36 years old. The next day her body was buried in the new cemetery chapel at Bharananganam.
Comment:
St. Alphonsa's native place was Kudamaloor, in the Archdiocese of Changnacherry, in central Kerala. Her father was Joseph Muttathupadathu Pazhooparampil and her mother was Mary of Pathukary family at Muttuchira. She was born on 12 Aug. 1910 as the fourth child of her parents. The child was baptized on 26 Aug. at her parish church at Kudamaloor. Her baptismal name was Anna, but everyone called her Annakutty. A few weeks after the birth of Annakutty, her mother expired and thereupon her aunt took the infant into her care. This foster mother was a strict disciplinarian. This aunt and Annakutty's paternal grandmother exercised great influence in the formation of her character. She was trained to cultivate the habit of reciting little prayers throughout the day. She received Holy Communion on 27 Nov. 1917, and it was one of the most important events in her life. Annakutty received the sacrament of Confirmation on 21 Jan. 1925, at Muttuchira Forane church, from Mar Thomas, the bishop of Changanacherry. Upto the age of four, she was afflicted by various ailments. Even as a child she showed great compassion to the poor and needy. Her dress and appearance were always neat and tidy. Her primary education was at Arpookara and Muttuchira. Her name in the school register was A. E. Anna.
Annakutty was a girl of extraordinary charm and beauty. In addition to physical charm, she was adorned with virtues like modesty, piety, love and kindness. In those days parents used to marry off their daughters very early and proposals for her marriage were made as she reached the age of thirteen. But Annakutty was adamant in her decision to dedicate herself totally to God and faced all the obstacles on her path heroically. She joined the Clarist congregation to become a nun in 1927. On 28 Aug. 1928, she received the aspirant's veil and adopted her religious name, 'Alphonsa'. She had a strong desire to become a saint therefore she used to fast and pray ardently. She received religious habit on 19 Aug. 1930[ the next stage in becoming a nun] in accordance with the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. In 1932-33 she worked as a primary school teacher at Vakakkad. There she won the hearts of her students and colleagues. Sr. Alphonsa was constantly afflicted by various ailments throughout her religious life. She made her final profession on 12 Aug. 1936 to become a full-fledged nun. When a group of young sisters approached her in their pain and suffering asking for spiritual advice She told them that if they are purified through pain and suffering they shall become strong in the spirit.
Sr. Alphonsa had occasions for mental sufferings too. There were a few in her community who disbelieved her innocence and misunderstood her simplicity. Such occasions were very painful for her as she would never judge others imprudently. She had a great devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus. She led a life of innocence free from every kind of sin. Sr. Alphonsa had a great trust in the power of prayer. Her deep faith in God had encouraged her to take the sufferings of others on herself. Sr. Alphonsa was aware of the basic Christian principle of salvation through suffering and resurrection through death. The pure soul of Sr. Alphonsa flew to her celestial abode on Sunday 28 July 1946. She was only 36 years old. The next day her body was buried in the new cemetery chapel at Bharananganam.
Comment:
- The biography of St. Alphonsa was written by Sr. Leela Moozhayil DSP
- St. Alphonsa wrote several personal notes in her diary which is not officially published.
