Saint
Alphonsa Muttathupadathu
Born: 19th August 1910, Kerala, India
Died: 28th July 1946, Bharananganam, India
Feast Day: 28th July
Patron Saint: Illness, Sickness, Death of Parents
Shrine: St Mary’s
Church, Bharananganam
Also
known as: Alphonsa Muttathupadathu, Alphonsa of Bharananganam, Alphonsa
of the Immaculate Conception, Anna Muttathupadathu, Annakutty
Venerated:
9th
July 1985, by Pope John Paul II
Beatified:
8th
February 1886, by Pope John Paul II
Canonised: 12th October
2008, by Pope Benedict XVI
Saint Alphonsa
was born in a rural area of India as Annakutty, to Mary and Joseph
Muttathupadathu, an ancient and noble family.
She was born in the eighth month, following a fright her mother received
when a snake wrapped itself around her stomach. She was the fifth and last
child and was baptised on 27th August 1910.
Anna’s mother died
when she was just three months old, so she moved in with her grandparents. This was a very pious but happy household and
Anna soon learnt to help the poor and pray. In 1920 she moved in with her mum’s
sister and was educated by her great uncle Father Joseph Muttathupadathu. Anna’s
Aunt was a severe lady demanding absolute obedience. She planned for Anna to get married and ignored
the obvious calling of her niece to join the religious. Anna resisted the attempts of engagement that
her aunt persisted in trying to get her to accept. She became partially disabled
after she fell into a pit of burning chaff, burning her feet badly, in an attempt
to stop her Auntie from trying to marry her off. In her words she said "My
marriage was arranged when I was thirteen years old. What had I to do to avoid
it? I prayed all that night... then an idea came to me. If my body were a
little disfigured no one would want me! ... O, how I suffered! I offered all
for my great intention".
On 2nd August 1928, Anna joined the
Poor Clare convent at Bharananganam where she took the name Alphonsa. She took her vows on 12th August
1936. She was soon working in a primary
school where she was known for her gentleness and happy nature. Health issues caused Alphonsa to miss a lot
of school. In December 1936 she was
miraculously curried from her ailments while praying a novena to Blessed
Kuriakose Elias Chavara. However, in
1939 she suffered with pneumonia which weakened her severely.
A thief broke into her room on 18th
October 1940, the shock causing her memory loss. She continued to deteriorate and was given
the last rights on 29th September 1941. The next day she regained her memory although
not her health. Alphonsa’s health did
improve over the next few years until in July 1945 she developed a stomach
issue which eventually led to her death.
Alphonsa was noted for her suffering in
silence. Almost immediately after her
death, incidents of intervention occurred, often involving the convent school
children. These included two club-feet straightening’s
which were investigated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints as proof
of her miracles. Many miracles are recorded
on a similar line and chronicled in a magazine called Passion Flower. She was buried at the church in Bharananganam
and thousands of pilgrims converge when her feast is celebrated on 19-28th
July each year.
References: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30454806/saint-alphonsa-muttathupadathu
https://www.livingfaith.in/news/st-alphonsa-muttathupadathu/5429
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-alphonsa-of-india/
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