Wednesday 13 June 2012

Ancient Crosses of India

Beautifully hand cut stone crosses are the treasure of ancient churches in India. These Crosses are found mainly in Southern Indian State of Kerala. They are also found in state of Goa and Tamil Nadu.
Two types of the stone crosses are broadly classified as Saint Thomas Cross[1] and Nasrani Sthambams.
The Saint Thomas Cross are smaller in size and are found inside the Kerala churches at Kadamattom, Muttuchira, Kothanalloor, Kottayam and Alengad. Outside Kerala, they are at St. Thomas Mount, Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu, Pilar Seminary Museum, Goa, Anuradhapura [ 2 nos ] in Sri Lanka and Taxila at Pakistan.[2]
The large crosses known as Nasrani Sthambams are found at the frontage of many churches in Kerala. There are also other[clarification needed] flowery ancient Persian Crosses found in Kerala Churches.
These crosses represent resurrection through its various symbolism.[3] Kerala has many churches of antiquity. It is recorded that before the arrival of Portuguese there were more than 150 ancient churches in Kerala.[4]

Contents

Saint Thomas Cross

Antonio Gouvea in the Sixteenth century work, " Jornada" states that the old churches of Saint Thomas Christians were full of crosses of the type discovered from S.Thome ( Mylapore).[5] He also states that veneration of the cross is an old custom in Malabar. "Jornada" is the oldest known written document which calls the cross as St. Thomas Cross. The original word used is “ Cruz de Sam Thome “ meaning Cross of St. Thomas. Interestingly, Gouvea writes about the veneration of the Cross at Cranganore mentioning it as "Cross of Christians"[5]

Location of the Saint Thomas Crosses

The Saint Thomas Cross
The crosses are at the following locations,[2]
  • St. Thomas Mount, Tamil Nadu: The Cross is at Our Lady of Expectations Church under the Latin Catholic diocese of Chingelpet (Madras-Mylapore). This Cross is considered as the oldest cross in India.
  • Kottayam, Kerala. This Cross is at Kottayam Valiapally (St.Mary's Knananya Church). One cross is considered of late origin ( Ca 10th century).
  • Alangad, Kerala. This Cross is at St. Mary's Church under the diocese of Ernakulam- Angamaly of the Syro Malabar Church.
  • Agasaim, Goa. The Cross is now kept at Pilar Seminary Museum. This Cross is dated of 6th Century.
  • Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The cross is kept at Anuradhapura museum. It was found during excavations in 1912 Anuradhapura [ 2 nos ]. This Cross is considered as the oldest Cross.
  • Taxila, Pakistan. The cross is kept at Anglican cathedral at Lahore.

Interpretation of the Inscriptions

Open Air Rock Cross also called Nasrani Sthambams in front of the 2nd Century built Marth Mariam Catholic Church at Kuravilangadu, Kerala
Dr. Burnell, archeologist with the government of India, in 1873, translated the inscriptions as follows:
"In punishment by the cross (was) the suffering of this one;
He who is the true christ, and God above and Guide ever pure."[6]
Prof. F.C. Burkitt and C.P.T. Winckworth, the then reader of Assyriology in the University of Cambridge studied the inscriptions and produced a translation. This has been discussed at the International Congress of Orientalists held at Oxford in 1925.
The interpretation is as follows:
"My Lord Christ, have mercy upon Afras son of Chaharbukht the Syrian, who cut this (or, who caused this to be cut)." [7]
On the large cross, there is this additional sentence in Estrangelo Syriac. (Galatians 6:14)
”May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The inscription at Kadamattom church when translated is,
”I, the beautiful bird of Nineveh has come to this land. Written by me Shapper, who was saved by the Holy Messiah from misery.”

Symbolism of The St. Thomas Cross

Unlike crosses in other traditions, the St. Thomas Cross does not carry the effigy of the Christ. In addition to this unique quality, each of its elements carry symbolic meanings. Generally the Cross symbolizes life rather than death and suffering.[8]

Nasrani Sthambams

The other type is a giant open air stone cross. These are called Nasrani Sthambams.[9]
The plinth of these crosses represents lotus petals and lotus flowers and has a square base. It also has a variety of iconographic motifs, including elephants, peacocks and various other animals, depictions of the Holy Family and of the Crucifixion, to name a few. The stone cross in front of St.Mary's Forane Church, Puthenchira is more than 12 meters high.
These crosses are found in Puthenchira, Parappukkara, Veliyanad, Kalpparambu, Angamaly, Kanjoor, Malayattoor, Udayamperur, Kuravilangad, Uzhavoor, Chungam, Kaduthuruthy, Muthalakodam, Muttuchira, Kudamaloor, Niranam, Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Chengannur, Thumpamon, Chathannur and many other places.[9]

Other Persian Crosses

The Saint Thomas Kottakkavu Church at North Paravur under the diocese of Ernakulam-Ankamaly of the Syro Malabar Church and the St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Niranam under the Niranam diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has ancient flowery Persian Cross.[3]

St. Thomas Church (Palayur)

St. Thomas Church (Palayur)

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St Thomas Church (Palayur)
Full View of St Thomas Catholic Church at Palayur
Basic information
Location India Kerala India
Geographic coordinates (10.5825°N 76.0319°E)
Affiliation Apostolic Era
State Kerala
District Thrissur
Year consecrated 52 AD (?)
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Independent Episcopal Church
Leadership St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD (?)
Architectural description
Architectural type Mix of Hindu and Persian
Completed Supposedly in 52 AD but substantially refurbished in the 17th century by Reverend Fenichi
St. Thomas Church (Palayur) is located at Palayur (also spelt Palayoor), in Thrissur district in Kerala on the west coast of India. According to tradition, it was established in 52 AD by St Thomas, one of the twelve close disciples of Jesus Christ.[1] Palayoor church is the oldest (Romo-Syrian) Church in India and is called an Apostolic Church credited to the Apostolate of St. Thomas who preached and also started conversion of people to Christianity here. It was part of the seven churches that he established in India; the other six churches were established at Cranganore, Kokkamangalam, Kottakavu, (Parur), Quilon, Niranam, and Chayal. The original small Church structure has been retained at the oldest site. But substantial improvements around it were carried out during the 17th century by Reverend Fenichi, as necessary, without sacrificing the main sanctity of the place.[1][2][3]

Contents

History

Interior of the Palayur Church, the oldest Christian church in India and one of the seven founded by St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD.
St. Thomas traveled from Kottakavu or Crangannur, now called Kodungallur (Mussiris) and landed at Palayur by boat through the backwaters. At that time, Palayur was a stronghold of the Brahmins and also of Jews. He came to visit the Jewish merchants at Palayur at "Judankunnu" (meaning the hill of Jews) and to preach the Christian gospel. The place has since become a dry land but its historicity as a boat jetty called locally as 'Bottukulam' has been preserved as a monument to St. Thomas (see picture).[4][5]
Of the seven churches originally established by St. Thomas, only three namely, Palayoor in the Syro-Malabar Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur, Parur in the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam, and Niranam under the Orthodox Syrian Church (Devalokam Aramana) could claim continuity, while the remaining four churches have undergone several cnanges in their locations.[6]
It is stated that a Hindu temple that was abandoned by the Brahmins was converted into the present church. Further, as a proof of Jewish settlements exisitng when St Thomas arrived here in 52 AD, ruins of a synagogue could be seen near a Hindu temple, close to the church. Temple remnants in the form of broken idols, sculptures and relics of the old temple can also be seen near the precincts of the church, in addition to two large tanks near the west and east gates of the church.[7]
It is also stated that the conversion of Brahmins has resulted in such an aversion among the Nambudri Brahmins that they do not even accept cold water or tender coconut water anywhere in the vicinity of the Church.[citation needed] It is recorded that St. Thomas stayed in India for 17 years;4 years in Sindh (now in Pakistan), about 6 years in Malabar and 7 years at Mylapuram or Mailapore in Tamil Nadu. The Indian Postal Service of the Government of India brought out two commemorative stamps, in 1964 and 1973, in honour of the historic arrival of St. Thomas in India in 52 AD.[8]
St. Thomas was proclaimed 'The Apostle of India' by the Holy See. His skeleton remains were brought to India in 1953 by Cardinal Tisserant.[8] Furthermore, a document called ‘Grandavariola’ kept by a local Brahmin family (who had moved out from Palayur during the preaching ) testifies to the date of the gospel work of St. Thomas. The document states:
Kali year 3153 (52 AD) the foreigner Thomas Sanyasi came to our village (gramam) preached there and therby causing…[9]

Legend

Palayur St.Thomas Monument
Historical legend records that when St. Thomas landed at Palayur, he witnessed the sight of Hindu Brahmins, after their ablutions in a local tank, offering prayers by chanting mantras (the Vedic tradition of India for spiritual transformation) hymns to god in the form of Argyam or (Tharpanam) (water held in the palms) of water to the Sun god, a practice also said to be followed in Harappan and Persian cultures. Amused by the sight of water being thrown up by the Brahmins, from the palms of their hands, which was falling back, he challenged the Brahmins stating that the water they were offering was not being accepted by the Sun god as it was falling back into the tank. He made a deal with them stating that his God would accept the offer of water if he threw it up in the same way as they did, but water would not fall back. If he proved this then his God was superior and the Brahmins would have to embrace Christianity. He performed this miracle (summoned the Holy Trinity, completed the sign of the Cross and threw water held in his palms up into the air, which remained still in the air at a height) and with this miracle he converted a number of Brahmins and Jews in Palayur to Christianity. Thereafter he baptised the converts in a nearby water tank. The Brahmins who did not convert to the faith gave the epithet of the ‘Shapa Kadu’ or "Cursed Place" to Palayur and migrated to Vembanad to purify themselves.[6][10]

Structure

Following the migration of the Hindu Brahmins from Palayur, the Church was built incorporating the old Hindu temple, which was deserted. The church, as built, was thus a fusion of Hindu architectural style in respect of ornamentation with a Persian Church plan. The roof of the church raises like a tower above the nave. The approach or entrance is like a Hindu style mandapa (in Indian architecture it is a pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public rituals).[11]
An Italian missionary built the new church around the small old teak wood church after taking due permission from the locals who were not only superstitious but also sentimental about retaining the old Church. However, after the church was fully completed and after the priest had delivered a proper sermon, the local people agreed to demolish the old wooden structure, which resulted in the Church looking elegant. The original altar consecrated by St. Thomas is still retained. But during Tipu Sultan's invasion of Kerala in the 18th century, the church was destroyed by fire. Thereafter it was re-built.[6]

Festival

A major festival that is held every year at the venue of the church, which lasts for two days, has a striking similarity to the Hindu festival held at Trichhur (district town 28 kilometres (17 mi) away from the church) on the same days, with lot of fan fare of pageants, orchestra and pyrotechnics.[citation needed] During the lenten season, the popular festival celebrated is called the 'Palayur Mahatheerthadanam' or Great Pilgrimage conducted under the auspices of Archdiocesan, when thousands of devotees, without caste distinction, participate in the festival.[6]
The interior of St. Thomas Church, Palayoor
Kerala Backwaters1.jpg Kerala Backwaters3.jpg
Interior of the Palayoor Church Another view inside the Church

Visitor information

The Palayoor church is well connected by road, rail and air services network. Palayoor is at a distance of 28 kilometres (17 mi) from Thrissur on the State Highway. It is on Thrissur - Chavakad route, via Pavaratty. By train, it is on the Thrissur - Guruvayur broad gauge line - at a distance of 24 kilometres (15 mi). From Guruvayur, the Hindu temple town, the church is3 kilometres (1.9 mi) by road. Nedumbasserry International Airport is only 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Palayoor.[7]
Important places to visit near the church precincts are: the Boat Jetty (Bottukulam) where St Thomas landed at Palayoor; the Thaliyakulam -the pond where St Thomas baptized the local people; the replica of Chinna Malai (small hill of Mylapore - Chennai) where St. Thomas attainted martyrdom in 72 AD, the historical remnants of old Hindu Temple; 14 scenes from the life of St Thomas sculpted in granite; the Jubilee Door in front of the entrance of the main hall of the Church (depicts various important Biblical events, carved in Burmese teak); and the historical museum where many objects of archaeological, historical and artistic value are displayed (includes the vessels and articles used by St. Thomas during his stay here).[1][6]

The Hindu News - Hong Kong team visits Kadeesha Syrian Church

Hong Kong team visits Kadeesha Syrian Church

Staff Reporter
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Learning history:Members of a Christian delegation from Hong Kong at the Kadeesha Syrian Church in Kollam on Wedneday.— Photo: C. Suresh Kumar
Learning history:Members of a Christian delegation from Hong Kong at the Kadeesha Syrian Church in Kollam on Wedneday.— Photo: C. Suresh Kumar
A 35-member delegation from Hong Kong on a tour of historic Malankara churches in the State reached the Kadeesha Syrian church here on Wednesday evening.
The Kadeesha church is believed to have been built in 1519 AD but has a history dating back to 825 AD.
Members of the delegation are parishioners of St. John Cathedral in Hong Kong. They are interested in visiting places in Kerala where St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ who arrived here in 52 AD, is believed to have established eight churches, popularly known as ‘ezhara pallikal.'
One of those churches is believed to have been established in Kollam and presumed destroyed in a natural disaster. This has triggered the Hong Kong delegation's interest in Kollam.
The trustees of the Kadeesha church say that in 825 AD, a Persian merchant Maruvan Sapir Eso built the ‘Tareeshapally' at a location believed to be Tangasseri in Kollam city. Sapir Eso had arrived with the east Syrian bishops Mar Sabor and Mar Aphroth.
When the Portuguese arrived in Kollam in the early 16th century, the church came under their control and was located inside Fort Saint Thomas built by the Portuguese.
Then, the descendents of Sapir Eso, who came to be known as Muthalalis, built a separate church in 1519 AD in the memory of the two bishops revered by them as ‘kadeeshamcal' (corruption of a Syrian word meaning holy ones). They named the church Kadeesha Syrian Church.
While the original church had a palm frond-thatched roof, the present structure is a renovated one. However, the altar of the church is the one erected in 1519. The backdrop of the altar is a unique wall painting done by a native on directions from a Syrian priest, says art historian M.G. Sashibhooshan. The church is now owned by members of the Kallada Malayil Muthalali family.

Niranam Church - India

Niranam Church has a rich history of being the symbol of Christian faith in Kerala and a citadel of Orthodox Christianity since its inception in AD 54 by St Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. St Thomas reached Kerala in AD 52 and started preaching the gospel. He founded 8 churches, which are called 'Ezhara Pallikal', meaning seven and half churches. These were at Kodungallur, Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakkayal (Paravoor), Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and Thiruvithamkode (the half church). St. Thomas who had great respect for the Holy Virgin, named all these churches after St. Mary. At Niranam, St. Thomas baptised many people and ordained people with social eminence as priests, to administer the church.
The church founded by St Thomas at Niranam was adjacent to Sri Thrikpaleswara Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva. Some adversaries of the new faith later took out the cross, founded by the Apostle and threw it into the neighboring river. When St Thomas returned to Niranam after two years (AD 54) he heard about this and went in search of the cross. He found it at a place in the down stream and again founded the church at that place, which is believed to be the present location of the church. According to the available records, the present building is the fourth, which was built in 1912. The third building was built in 1259.
Analysis of soil says that during the first century, Niranam and the surrounding places were costal region. Probably, it was a place where the river joined the sea. Some historians are of the opinion that the name Niranam derived from an old name 'NeerMannu', which meant land with water. Presence of water bodies enabled travel through water and it is believed that the Apostle reached Niranam in a ship (it might be a big boat). During the 14 th century, there was a great flood and the geography of the area changed a lot because the sea retreated exposing a lot of land.
Even today, there is a place at Niranam, near Kolarayar - a tributary of River Pampa - named 'Thomathukadavu', which is supposed to be the spot where St. Thomas got down from the ship. The word 'Thomathukadavu' might have emerged from 'Thoma Vanna Kadavu', which means the jetty where Thomas came.
Niranam Church was the southern headquarters of the Orthodox Church in Kerala for centuries. Many of the Malankara Metropolitans (the chief bishops) ruled the church by staying here. The church is famous for its historical importance, loyalty to the Indian Orthodox Church, architectural beauty and some of its antiques. Almost all of the old churches in southern Kerala - whether belonging to Orthodox, Marthoma or Roman Catholic churches - were separated from this mother parish, during course of time.
Niranam Church witnessed a number of historical events in the church history including the establishment of a Catholicate in the Indian Orthodox Church in 1912. The first Catholicose and second Catholicose of the church were ordained at Niranam Church (in 1912 and 1925). Four of the Malankara Metropolitans of the church passed away while staying here and two were buried here. For a full list of important events at Niranam Church, click here.

Niranam Church & Parumala Church

About Niranam ChurchNiranam Church has a rich history of being the symbol of Christian faith in Kerala and a citadel of Orthodox Christianity since its inception in AD 54 by St Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. St Thomas reached Kerala in AD 52 and started preaching the gospel. He founded 8 churches, which are called `Ezhara Pallikal`, meaning seven and half churches. These were at Kodungallur, Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kokkamangalam, Kottakkayal (Paravoor), Palayoor (Chattukulangara) and Thiruvithamkode (the half church). St. Thomas who had great respect for the Holy Virgin, named all these churches after St. Mary. According to the available records, the present building is the fourth, which was built in 1912. The third building was built in 1259.
Last Modified On: 6/10/2012 5:01:28 PM by admin Niranam Chruch
About Parumala ChurchParumala is renowned for the presence of the Tomb of St. Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni), the Greatest Saint of India belonging to the Indian Orthodox Church (The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church). Parumala Thirumeni is the first declared saint of The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the first Canonized Indian Saint. The commemoration ormapperunnal is celebrated on the first and second of every November, and a large number of people flock to this place for worship. People prefer to get here at that time by walking from all over the Nation

Saint Alphonsa - India

Saint Alphonsa

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St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception, F.C.C.
First canonized Indian Catholic saint
Born 19 August 1910
Kudamaloor, Arpookara, Travancore State, British Raj (present-day Kerala, India)
Died 28 July 1946 (aged 35)
Bharananganam, Palai, Travancore State, British Raj (present-day Kerala, India)
Honored in Syro-Malabar Church
Beatified 8 February 1986, Kottayam, Kerala, India by Pope John Paul II
Canonized 12 October 2008, Vatican City by Pope Benedict XVI
Major shrine Saint Alphonsama Church, Bharananganam, Kerala, India.
Feast 28 July
Patronage against illness
Saint Alphonsa Muttathupadathu, F.C.C., or Saint Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception (Malayalam: അൽഫോൻസാ മുട്ടത്തുപാടം) (19 August 1910 – 28 July 1946) was a Syro-Malabar Catholic Franciscan Religious Sister who is now honored as a saint. She is the first person of Indian origin to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church and the first canonized saint of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church of the Saint Thomas Christian community.

Contents

Life

Early life

She was born Anna Muttathupadathu, the fourth child of Cherian Ouseph and Mary Muttathupadathu, in Kudamalloor, near Kottayam, on 19 August 1910. She was baptized on the following 26 August. Alphonsamma, as she was locally known, was born in Arpookara, a village in the princely state of Travancore, which was under the British Raj at the time. Today the place is called Kottayam District, within the state of Kerala, India. This lies within the Archdiocese of Changanassery.
Her parents nicknamed her Annakkutty (little Anna) She had a poor, difficult childhood and experienced loss and suffering early on in life. Anna's mother died when she was young, so her maternal aunt raised her. Hagiographies describe her early life as one of suffering at the hands of her stern foster mother and the teasing of schoolchildren.[1] Anna was educated by her great-uncle, Father Joseph Muttathupadathu. When Anna was three years old, she contracted eczema and suffered for over a year.[2]
In 1916 Anna started school in Arpookara. She received her First Communion on 27 November 1917. In 1918, she was transferred to a school in Muttuchira. In 1923, Anna's feet were burnt when she fell into a pit of burning chaff; local hagiographies describe this as a self-inflicted injury in order to avoid her foster mother's attempt to arrange a marriage for, and thereby to fulfill her desire for becoming a Religious Sister instead.[1] This accident left her permanently disabled.

Sister Alphonsa

When it became possible, Anna joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, a religious congregation of the Third Order of St. Francis,[3] and through them, completed her schooling.
Anna arrived at the Clarist convent at Bharananganam, Kottayam district, on Pentecost Sunday 1927. She received the postulant's veil on 2 August 1928, and in May 1929 was assigned to teach at Malayalam High School at Vazhappally. Her foster mother died in 1930. Three days later she resumed her studies at Changanacherry, while working as a temporary teacher at a school at Vakakkad.
On 19 May 1930 Anna entered the novitiate of the congregation at Bharananganam and received the religious habit, taking the religious name of Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception at that time. On 11 August 1931, she completed the novitiate and took her first vows. Sister Alphonsa took her permanent vows on 12 August 1936. Two days later she returned to Bharananganam from Changanacherry.
Sister Alphonsa then taught high school at St. Alphonsa Girl's High School, but was often sick and unable to teach.[2] For most of her years as a Clarist Sister she endured serious illness.[1]

Health declines

In December 1936, it is claimed that she was cured from her ailments through the intervention of the Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara (who was beatified at the same ceremony as she), but on 14 June 1939 she was struck by a severe attack of pneumonia, which left her weakened. On 18 October 1940, a thief entered her room in the middle of the night. This traumatic event caused her to suffer amnesia and weakened her again.
Her health continued to deteriorate over a period of months. She received extreme unction on 29 September 1941. The next day it is believed that she regained her memory, though not complete health. Her health improved over the next few years, until in July 1945 she developed a stomach problem that caused vomiting.[4]

Death

She died on 28 July 1946, aged 35. She is buried at Bharananganam, Travancore (present day Kerala) in the Diocese of Palai.
During the last year of her life she came to know the later-Bishop of Kerala Sebastian Valopilly, a priest at the time, who frequently brought her communion. This bishop became famous in Kerala for championing the cause of poor people from all religious backgrounds who had come to live Thalassery as a result of shortages elsewhere. He was also the person who reported the miracle attributed to St. Alphonsa's intercession.

Veneration

Claims of her miraculous intervention began almost immediately upon her death, and often involved the children of the convent school where she used to teach. The cause for the canonization of Sister Alphonsa began on 2 December 1953 in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Palai and she was declared a Servant of God. She was declared Venerable on 9 July 1985 by Pope John Paul II. Her beatification was declared 8 February 1986 by Pope John Paul II at Kottayam.
Hundreds of miraculous cures are claimed for her intervention, many of them involving straightening of clubbed feet, possibly because of her having lived with deformed feet herself. Two of these cases were submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints as proof of her miraculous intervention. The continuing cures are chronicled in the magazine PassionFlower.[2]
On Sunday, 12 October 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced her canonization at a ceremony at Saint Peter's Square.[2][5]

Miracles

The miracle attributed to her intercession and approved by the Vatican for proceeding with her canonization was the healing of the club foot of an infant in 1985.[6][7]
Bishop Sebastian reported:
About ten years ago, when I was in a small village in Wayanad outside Manatavady, I saw a boy walking with some difficulty, using a stick. As he approached me I noted that both of his feet were turned upside down. I had a stack of holy cards in my pocket with Alphonsa's picture on them, so I pulled one of them out and gave it to the boy. When I told the boy that he should pray to this woman for the cure of his feet, the boy-he was quite smart for a ten-year-old boy-replied, "But I'm a Muslim, and, besides, I was born this way." I replied that God is very powerful, so let's pray.A few months later,a boy and a gentleman appeared at the house here.I didn't recognize them at first but soon learned that it was the Muslim boy with his father, here to tell me that his feet had been cured through their prayers to Sister Alphonsa. They showed me the calluses on the tops of his feet, and you could see the marks which had been made from the years of his walking with his feet turned under. Before they left, the three of us had our pictures taken.[1]
The boy had reportedly taken Alphonsa's picture card and asked Alphonsa to help fix his feet. Several days afterwards one of his feet supposedly turned around. He and the other members of his family then prayed for the cure of the second foot, which also supposedly turned around later.[1] The boy did not convert to Christianity.[1]

Shrine

Her tomb in Bharananganam has become a pilgrimage site as miracles have been reported by some faithful.[8]

Beatification

Tomb of Saint Alphonsa
Birth centenary Commemorative coin released by Reserve Bank of India
On 2 December 1953, Eugène-Gabriel-Gervais-Laurent Cardinal Tisserant inaugurated the diocesan process for her beatification. Pope John Paul II formally approved a miracle attributed to her intercession and Alphonsa was declared Servant of God on 9 July 1985. She was then known as Venerable Sister Alphonsa. She was beatified along with Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara, T.O.C.D., at Kottayam.
During the Apostolic Pilgrimage to India of Pope John Paul II, the Pope said as part of his speech at Nehru Stadium, Kottayam, on 8 February 1986, that:
"From early in her life, Sister Alphonsa experienced great suffering. With the passing of the years, the heavenly Father gave her an ever fuller share in the Passion of his beloved Son. We recall how she experienced not only physical pain of great intensity, but also the spiritual suffering of being misunderstood and misjudged by others. But she constantly accepted all her sufferings with serenity and trust in God, being firmly convinced that they would purify her motives, help her to overcome all selfishness, and unite her more closely with her beloved divine Spouse. She wrote to her spiritual director: "Dear Father, as my good Lord Jesus loves me so very much, I sincerely desire to remain on this sick bed and suffer not only this, but anything else besides, even to the end of the world. I feel now that God has intended my life to be an oblation, a sacrifice of suffering" (20 November 1944). She came to love suffering because she loved the suffering Christ. She learned to love the Cross through her love of the crucified Lord."[9]

Canonization

Pope Benedict XVI authorized Sister Alphonsa's name for canonization on 1 June 2007, a process that was started 55 years earlier. She had been beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986 in Kottayam, 40 years after her death, in recognition of the numerous miracles through intercessory prayers to her.
The miracle that was attributed to her intercession and approved by the Vatican for canonization was the healing of the club foot of a Muslim infant in 1985 in the district of Thalassery of Kerala State.[6][7] She was elevated to sainthood on 12 October 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI.[6][7][10] The final ceremony for the canonization began on 12 October 2008 with the holy relics of Alphonsa being presented to the Pope by Sister Celia, Mother General of the Franciscan Clarist Congregation, the congregation to which Sister Alphonsa belonged. Sister Celia was accompanied by Vice Postulator Father Francis Vadakkel and former Kerala minister K. M. Mani, all holding lit candles. Speaking in English, the Pope declared Sister Alphonsa a saint, after reading excerpts from the Holy Bible. The Pope himself read out the biography of Alphonsa after the ceremony.[11]
In the homily, Pope Benedict XVI recalled Saint Alphonsa's life as one of "extreme physical and spiritual suffering."
"This exceptional woman ... was convinced that her cross was the very means of reaching the heavenly banquet prepared for her by the Father", the pope stated. "By accepting the invitation to the wedding feast, and by adorning herself with the garment of God's grace through prayer and penance, she conformed her life to Christ's and now delights in the 'rich fare and choice wines' of the heavenly kingdom."
"(Her) 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", the pope stated before the ceremony ended.[3]
Pope Benedict XVI also invited people "to pray for reconciliation and peace for some situations that that are causing alarm and great suffering," specifically citing the civil war situation in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and "the violence against Christians in Iraq and India." .[12]
The ceremony was attended by around 25,000 people of Indian origin - many waving Indian flags - as well as a large delegation from India.[citation needed] A 15-member official Indian delegation, led by Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, attended the ceremony.
With Sister Alphonsa being raised to the list of saints by the Vatican on Sunday, the Catholic Church in Kerala celebrated the canonization of the first Indian saint from an Indian Rite. Across the State, church bells tolled as Pope Benedict XVI named her St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception.
The cemetery where the Franciscan Clarist Sister was buried 62 years ago at St Mary’s Forane Church at Bharananganam has now been turned into the chapel which houses her mortal remains. The canonization was greeted with the bursting of firecrackers and the toll of church bells. St Mary’s Forane church at Kudmaloor, the home parish of the saint, also celebrated a special Mass.[13]

Feast

Thousands converge on the small town of Bharananganam when they celebrate the feast of Saint Alphonsa from 19 to 28 July each year; her tomb is becoming a pilgrimage site these days as miracles are reported by some devotees.[8]