Saint Alphonsa, born as Anna Muttathupadathu on 19 August 1910 at Kudamaloor, Kerala, dedicated her entire life to God. From an early age, she was inspired by the lives of saints, especially St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and desired to follow Jesus Christ with complete devotion.
She joined the Claretian Franciscan Congregation at Bharananganam and received the religious habit in 1930. Sister Alphonsa served briefly as a teacher at Vakakkadu, Kerala, where her love for children, gentle nature, and humility made her deeply respected and loved by her students.
Her life was marked by intense suffering due to prolonged illnesses. She accepted her pain with unwavering faith, offering her sufferings for the spiritual renewal of the world. Because of her heroic endurance, she came to be known as the “Passion Flower” among her devotees.
Saint Alphonsa was called to eternal glory on 28 July 1946. Devotion to her grew steadily, and many miracles were reported through her intercession. On 12 October 2008, Pope Benedict XVI canonized her, making her the first Catholic woman saint from India.
Saint Alphonsa (1910 – 1946)
