Saint Alphonsa, F.C.C., (born Anna Muttathupadathu; 19 August 1910 – 28 July 1946) was an Indian religious sister and educator. She was the first woman of Indian origin to be canonised as a saint by the Catholic Church, and the first canonised saint of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church based in India. Her feast day is observed on July 28th.
St. Alphonsa, the first native woman saint of India, who lived as an unknown simple clarist nun within the four walls of the Franciscan Clarist convent at Bharananganam, in the state of Kerala, is now known all over the world. Her extraordinary power of intercession before her beloved Spouse Lord Jesus Christ, made her dear to everyone. Thousands of people from all walks of life irrespective of caste, creed, religion or country flow to the tomb of the saint to pray for their various needs and to pay homage and gratitude for the innumerable favors they received.
St. Alphonsa had a life span of only 36 years and she died on 28th July, 1946. At the funeral service, Rev. Fr. Romulus CMI, her spiritual director uttered these words of prophesy: “With the most profound conviction in my heart I affirm that we are attending the last rites of a saintly person. If the world had realized her intrinsic worth, unprecedented crowds from all over India would have assembled here. I assure you that as far as human judgment can be relied upon, this young nun was not much less saintly than the Little Flower of Lisieux…… Bharananganam where her mortal remains will be interred is hallowed. If it is God’s Holy Will, this place will become the Lisieux of India. “
The above prophetic sermon of the 29th July, 1946 was fully actualized on 12th October, 2008 when His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI declared Sr.Alphonsa ‘A SAINT’ in the St. Peter’s Square, Rome in front of lakhs of people from all over the world. St. Peter’s Square witnessed the presence of ten thousands of people from India including Cardinals, Bishops, Political Dignitaries, Priests, Religious men and women and thousands of laity including the Saint’s family members.
PRAYER TO ST. ALPHONSA
Oh! St. Alphonsa, you have been graciously chosen from our midst to be united with Jesus Christ, our Saviour, in the mystery of His passion, death and resurrection. You have grown to the heights of holiness and have been crowned with heavenly glory. Help us in our trials and tribulations. Oh, daughter of sufferings, obtain for us the grace to lead a holy life, following your example- in total submission to the Will of God. Be with us, transforming all our sorrows into a holy sacrifice in union with Christ Crucified, in reparation for our sins, for the sanctification and the salvation of the whole world. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. ALPHONSA
Oh Lord Jesus, hide me in the Sacred wound of Your Heart. Free me from my evil desire to be loved and esteemed. Save me from the mean pursuit of honour and fame. Make me humble until I become very insignificant and a small spark in the furnace of the love of Your Divine Heart. Give me the grace to forget the world and everything in it, including myself. My Jesus, who is ineffable sweetness, transform all my worldly consolations into bitterness. Oh Jesus! Sun of Justice, with the divine rays of Thy Sacred fire of love, illumine my mind, enlighten my intellect, purify my heart, enkindle my love towards Thee, consume me in the fire of Your love, and thus unite me with You. Amen.
Prayer for the intercession of St. Alphonsa
Oh Holy Spirit, descend upon us. Pour out Your gifts upon us and strengthen us in faith. Guide us with the hope for the Kingdom of Heaven. Enkindle our hearts with the fire of Divine love. Just as You led St. Alphonsa along the path of sanctity, lead us also on the path of righteousness. Grant us the grace to grow in sanctity and wisdom by serving you faithfully in humility and gentleness.
Celebrant : With joy and hope in our hearts, let us pray ” Lord hear our prayer.”
All : Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant : Lord, You raised St. Alphonsa to the host of the Saint, fill us with the spirit of prayer and sacrifice.
All : Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant : Lord, grant us the grace to see the hand of God in all our sufferings and sorrows, like St. Alphonsa who bore witness to You through her sufferings and self sacrifice.
All : Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant : Lord Jesus, you offered Yourself as a victim on the cross for us sinners. St. Alphonsa imitated You by offering herself as a Victim on your altar. Grant us the strength and grace to offer ourselves to You every moment as a burnt offering, like this holy sister.
All : Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant : Lord Jesus, at the moment of Your death and agony You prayed to the Father saying: “Not my will but Thy will be done.” St. Alphonsa also imitated You praying in the same fashion. Help us to see You in our superiors and do Your will in all circumstances.
All : Lord, hear our prayer.
LET US PRAY
Merciful and benevolent god, we offer ourselves completely to You. We give you thanks for all the blessings You shower upon us. Forgive us our sins and offences. Lord, You gave us St. Alphonsa as our model and mediator. We seek her intercession now. Protect us from all evils, spiritual and material. Fill us with Your blessings. We make this prayer in Your name, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.