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ST. ALPHONSA WARD

About the patron

St. Alphonsa was born to Joseph and Mary of Muttathupadathu family, on 19th August 1910 in Kudamalur. Wanting to dedicate her life to Jesus Christ, she sacrificed her material fortune and joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation.

She took her permanent vows on 12 August 1936 and became sister Alphonsa. She was a teacher by profession, but was often sick and unable to teach. Sister Alphonsa had repeated spells of sickness, resulting in excruciating pain and prolonged agony. She was longing to suffer even more for her own sanctification and that of the world and accepted all her sufferings with serenity and trust in God.

She constantly advised her companions and novices to accept suffering cheerfully citing the biblical references to the grain of wheat which has to fall down and decay for raising new sprouts, it has to be ground in order to be turned into hosts for transformation as the body of Our Lord. She also reminded them of the grapes, which have to be crushed for yielding wine to become the blood of the Lord.

Sister Alphonsa quietly and joyfully brought her earthly journey to a close in the convent of the Franciscan Clarists at Bharananganam on the 28th July 1946. Pope John Paul II declared her Venerable on July 9, 1985 and was beatified on February 8, 1986. On October 12, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced her canonization thus making her the first canonized saint of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Saint Alphonsa is the patron saint of the sick. The feast of Saint Alphonsa is celebrated on 28th July.

Prayer

Oh, St. Alphonsa, you have been graciously chosen from our midst to be united with Jesus Christ, our saviour, in the misery 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 to our sins, for the sanctification and salvation of the whole world. Amen

Ward LEADERS

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