Page 2 : ANITH, , ROY TAYIL, , ST. ALPHONSA, Supplementary Catechism, , Series, , -2, , Author, , Fr.Joshy Kannukadan CMI, , Published by, , Syro- Malabar Catechetical Commission, Syro-malabar Catechetical Centre, , Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad 682030, E-mail, ,
[email protected], , Distributed by Year of, , SMCC, Mount St. Thomas, Kakkanad, , Publication, , 2015, , 1, , An Angel from Heaven, , 10, , Price, , Many saints, , The Daily Prayer Recited by Saint Alphonsa, , and fortified in faith by the footprints of St. Thomas the Apostle. St. Alphonsa,, the angel of suffering, stands out among them as a shining star. The Lord, chose the historically famous Kudamaloor village near Kottayamto give, birth to St. Alphonsa., , O Lord Jesus, Hide me in the wound of your sacred heart., , Free me from my desire to be loved and esteemed. Guard me, from my evil attempts to win fame and honor. Make me humble, , small spark in the flame of love in your Sacred, Heart. Grant me the grace to forget myself and all worldly things., Jesus, sweet beyond words, convert all worldly consolations into, bitterness for me. O my Jesus, Sun of Justice, enlighten my, intellect and mind with your sacred rays. Purify my heart, consume, me with burninglove for you, and make me one with you,, Amen., till, , I become a, , have been laid to rest in this land of India sanctified, , Almost 800years ago, Kudamaloorhad been famous, , asthe capital ofthe kingdom of Chempakasserry. Between remnants of, past splendour and nostalgia, the dome of an ancient Church (believed to, be buit in the year, adorns the beauty of that tiny village. Long, before that, the king of, , 1505 A.D.), Chempakasserryis believed to have built the first, , church in Kudamaloor; the, , exact date of its foundation is not known., Legend has it that the Chempakasserry Raja when faced with unexplainable, hardships, at the suggestion of an astrologer built a small church and, brought four Christian families to Kudamaloor for worship in the church., The Muttathupadathu family was one of those four, , familis., , Saint Alphonsa was born on 19 August 1910. in the family of, Muttathupadathu as the fourth child to Joseph and Mariam. Aholy birth..to, make a land holy indeed.., For Alphonsa, who was called by God to suffer throughout her, entire life, suffering began at the time of her birth. When her mother was, , eight months pregnant, because of the stifling heat, she was sleeping on, the veranda. She was awakened by a snake that, body., Though she pulled off thë snake from her body, in her shock and terror she, fell down unconscious. Three days later, she delivered a premature baby, , had entwined her, , A
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at, Many's church, baptized Anna' on August 26 St., Annakutty, Kudamalur. She was affectionately called mother's love and fondling only, her, Annakutty had the fortune of, worsened; before dying she, Mariam's health, for about three months., Annamma of Murickan family,, entrusted the baby to her eldest sister,, take care of my precious, , girl. The, , She grew up listening to stories of God's Love. Annakutty slept, listening to the stories of saints her aunt would tell her and enjoying the, warm maternal caresses of her aunt. Entrusting the child to the guardian, angel, she would huddle near to the child in deep tove. As the child woke, of the, , child was, , the child to make the sign, up in the morning, Annama would instruct, the tradition in Christian, cross and ask blessings from parents as was, the morning, families at that time. Only then, she would take the child for, the family., in, ablutions. The, prayers and rosary were compulsory, , "Annamma, please, Muttuchira. Mariam said,, in the hands of, of God." Annakutty smiled, jewel. Bring her up in the love, her, for, eyes were closed, the smile,, Annamma. Mariam could not see, forever., , Annakutty's father, , and, , paternal grandmother brought, , evening, , to grow in, lf you pray to the Mother who is full of grace you would be able, full of Grace' was Annamma's instructions to Annakutty., Annamma was a strict disciplinarian, and she moulded Annakutty, over with good qualities. The aunt was stern about, , her up for, , in the local primary school,the, time. Under their care, she studied, this time the affectionate, Government school at Arpookara. During, to Mother Mary and the saints. She, some, , as a person, , Grandmother's advice and the, , example of, , her to step, , her first Holy Communion on 27 November, experience for her! The Lord, 1917. It was an unforgettable spiritual, on that holy day. Thereafter, Annakutty, bestowed on her His merciful touch, never, , neglected the, , received, , Holy, , received, , Devotion to Mother, , Communion every, , Mary and, , attended, , Holy, , wherever she, , goes,", , Annamma used to, , Annakutty, who continued her schooling at Muttuchira, had, impeccable behaviour and was a model for her classmates. Sr. Alphonsa, spoke with great pride of her aunt and of her childhood thus: "Since my, mother brought me up in discipline I became like this. When she scolded, back. If I kept silent, she, me, if I said something it was counted as talking, not, Would say Iwas hard-hearted... Look, though I spoke so much she did, , Mass and, , 2, Childhood Memories, , the, word. When the household chores were over, she would sweep, and, brick floor and lie down there. She would make me lie down near her, would all melt away. She was strict about eating habits, me., , say, , continued her studies under, , to, the care, maternal aunt,Annamma Murickan, who was entrusted, bring up Annakutty by her dying mother. On 30 June 1920, she joined the, , of her, , Govt. Schoolat Muttuchira., , child as, Annamma, who did not have a daughter, took her sister's, 'Amma', a precious gift from God. To Annakutty, Annamma became, Mother. Annakutty thence grew up as the beloved daughter of Murickan, -, , family., , aside from anywhere,, , say., , Saturday., , After her primary school, Annakutty, , anything., , not, , desire to become a saint., , Annakkutty, , brimming, , to spoil, her ward's education and character formation. She did not want, the child with excess affection. She was firm and very keen that her daughter, would make an efficient housewife and the best mother. "My child should, No one should find even the slightest fault in her or ask, lack in, , grandmother instilled in her devotion, of, of Avila and St. Little, told stories about saints, especially St. Theresa, from her father., learnt penitential practices, Flowerof Lisieux. Annakutty, inculcated, in her the, father, her, , a, , My grief, too. She did not allow to eat food at odd time or to eat mare of a food item, , hug, , Tliked. She trained me in such meticulous ways of behaviour.
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wept. Still he had on his face the satisfaction that he was, , 3, , Listening, , giving his daughter to the service of the Lord., , to Inner Voice, , Annakuty studied upto standard VIl staying in the, , Those days, girls would be married off at a very young age. 'How, can we keep a thirteen-year-old girl at home without setling her in, marriage? At home they were busy bringing in good alliances. Many, proposals came for Annakkutty who had turned thirteen. Finally the family, gave word to the parents of a boy who was held in high esteem and was, loved, , by everyone - a boy of good character and reputation. ButAnnakutty's, , mind was very disturbed. She had no desire to get married. Instead she, wanted to join a convent and lead a holy life. But no one listened to Annakutty., When she understood that her tears and words would not effect a, change, she thought of the saints who disfigured their body to keep their, chastity intact the stories of Saint Cicely, Saint Lucy, Saint Agatha, and, , Saint Rose of Lima occupied her mind. She did not think further-She went, to where the, , immersed, went, , family burned paddy husk. She closed her eyes in prayer and, , her right leg in the kiln that was burning intensely inside. Her leg, , deep underneath, , the ash and she fell inside that, , pit. Though, , she, , got, , up immediately, her skirt and her hair that got loosened caught fire. She, ran out after a few seconds, but her beautiful hair was burned down and, the skin of her leg was peeled off! Her aunt came out of her room and saw, , Annakutty falling down unconscious., After three months of treatment, the wound healed; but the ugly, marks remained marring her beauty. The wedding was called off. No one, came forward to marry Annakkutty. Her poor aunt cried her heart out. But, , Annakkutty was happy within. She believed that the Lord had heard her, prayer. Her aunt consented half-heartedly to send her to the convent., , In_1927during the summer vacation according to the direction of Fr., , Chakochan Murickan, Sr. Ursula andsome sisters of the convent of St., , Clare came tothe house at Muttuchira..They liked Annakkutty at first sight, and invited her to, , Bharananganam., , On the day of Pentecost in 1927, Annakkutty reached theconvent at, Bharananganam. While entrusting her to the hands of Sr.Ursula, her father, 6, , boarding house of the convent. As she was brilliant in studies, and possessed aesthetic qualities, she was selected as the, secretary of the Literary Association. Annakkutty was good in drawing,, writing and elocution. She prayed to God incessantly that she would be, , able to, , use, , these abilities in the, , service of the Lord. On, , 2 August 1928,, , Annakkuty and two other sistersreceivedtheirveil. Annakuty's name was, changed to Alphonsa as that day was the feast of St. Alphonsus Ligouri, 4, , The Bride of Christ, , On 19 May 1930,Alphonsa, and seven others dressed uplike, , brides stood before the main altar of the Forane, , Church of Bharanaganam., Bishop James Kalassery the bishop of Changanassery-presided over the, , holy rituals and ceremonies. The bridal dress and ornaments of Alphonsa, and the other sisters were taken away. In its place, they were given the, , rough religious habit. Their hair was cut off as a symbol of rejecting the, worldly pleasures. On receiving the religious habit, Alphonsa's mind and, body prepared to live only for Jesus. Alphonsa thus became a member of, , the congregation of St. Clare., The day that Alphonsa waited for so long, the Lord filled her heart, with joy by cOvering Bharanaganam with milky white mist. It is believed that, Lord showered on Alphonsa also the same recognition given to Little Flower,, of having mist on the day of her consecration., In abundance of, , God's blessing, Alphonsa worked as a temporary, , teacher in the primary school at Vakakkad, from May 1932. The simple and, saintly presence of Alphonsa gave a new awakening to the Vakakkad, School. She loved the children with her whole heart and mind and became, more a mother than a, , liked Alphonsa. The, that even thesimple and, , A, , teacher to the students. Everyone, secret of her me's suCcess was, , natural things she did were
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she loved to, donefor the loveof God. Though, teach, she returned to Bharanaganam after a, , year., , Fr. Chavara, , 5, , Days as a, , Novitiate, , Alphonsa prayed, , a, , lot and was, , enter the novitiate at, Changanassery on 12 August 1935. Novitiate, , fortunate, , to, , is the period of trainingand preparation that a prospective member of a, , religious orderundergoespriortotaking vows inorder to recognise whether, she or he is called to religious, , life., , This is when a, , novice learns the basic, , lessons of religious life; it is like a residential school where the religious, candidates stay with their teachers, learn about divine teachings and are, , prepared, , to grow in the fullness of virtues,, , Alphonsa, , could not do anything without the help of the others. On, the direction of Fr., Louis, she started the Novena to Fr. Kuriakose Elias, Chavara. Even on the, ninth day there was no change in the state of her illness; it, got worse. But, that night witnessed a miracle. It was, nearing midnight., , too started the first, , lessons of spiritual life during her novitiate., On the feast day of St. Clare, Alphonsastarted her novitiate under, , appeared to Alphonsa. Excited with joy she jumped out of the bed and, knelt down for his blessing. Fr. Chavara blessed her and said, "You are, , of the sickness. Hereafter, you will not have this sickness. But you, will be made to suffer with so many other sicknesses." Soon he, disappeared., Alphonsa was healed immediately. She slept peacefully at night. Next, , healed, , morning she attended the Holy mass together with the community. Everyone, was surprised to see Alphonsa, who the, previous evening could not even, turn in the bed by herself, at the Eucharistic Celebration., They praised, God with grateful hearts., The novitiate came to its, , end on 12 August 1936. The perpetual, brought in her a deep awareness that she is a sacrificial lamb offered, before the Lord. From that day Alphonsa offered her life to God., , vows, , 6, , Fr. LouisPerumalil as her spiritual director and Sr. Ursula as her novice, , An, , mistress. The religious instructions and disciplines of life received from, , both these persons kindled the fire in Alphonsa; her desire to become a, saint swelled up as the days went by. This inner thirst of the soul was, , fuelled by love and sacrifice at every moment. But in a month's time,, , Alphonsa fell il., on her leg. It was clear that she would not be able to complete the novitiate., The authorities decided to send her back to Bharananganam. Sr. Ursula, informed Bishop Kalassery of this decision. Bishop Kalassery met with, , Alphonsa and he could feel the grace of God abundant in her the bishop, , return.hetold Sr. Ursula, "Don'tsend, , Alphonsa to Bharanaganam. If she has to die of the sickness, let her die, , nere., , liness, , Though she got permission to continue with the novitiate, the, was getting severe. Her health deteriorated with each day. She, , of Little Flower, , Alphonsa came back to Bharanaganam on 14 August1936. She, decided to live her life of holiness hundredfold better than she had started, during novitiate. Before long she was taken ill. Her life, to burn in the, fire of, , Profuse bleeding kept her in bed. Besides, there was a big wound, , saw a saint growing within her. On his, , Apparition, , began, , suffering. Alphonsa was stricken with severe fever. The fever rose up, to105, exhausting her. Those assigned to look after her, despised the duty,, and ill-treated her. Anyone else in her place would have been, discouraged, both mentally and physically. But Alphonsa would not, yield to such tests in, life. She accepted all of it as, purification on the altar of atoning sacrifice., Even after two months the fever did not come down. She, started to cough, and spit blood. Doctor diagnosed the sickness as, advised it was not wise to keep a, , They discussed transferring, informedAlphonsa of this, , Ursula, If the fever does, , tuberculosis, Many, tuberculosis patient along with the others., her to isolation. Sr. Ursula"., decision. Alphonsa told Sr., not leave me within nine
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the Community members, , daysfrom now, you may isolate me. Not only that,, must start from today a novena to Little Flower.", over eight days. No, Everyone prayed in earnest. Novena crossed, , and her fever still ran high., took temperature, it was, that the fever had miraculously left Alphonsa completely!, to Alphonsa, Sr., was anxious to know what had happened, , change was visible in Alphonsa's condition, Many lost hope. The ninth day when Sr. Celine, seen, , Ursula, , at night. She asked, "Did anything happen at night?, special which is of significance has, Mother,, , "My, happened.", , nothing, , "Let it be. However, could you see Little Flower?, , Throughout, , her, , intense ecstatic, , convulsions, acute sufferings,, incessant illness and its consequences, her face, showed a, Composure and calmness. The sufferings lit up her heart; heavenly, her, suffering, she made her lite a divine stream of blessings. through, This is how she shared her vision, of suffering in life with the, yested sisters who came to see her: "When the grain of wheat is newily, powdered, well, we get the pure white dough. When we, it, in, the, keep, oven, we get the, host for the Eucharist. We have to be like this, by being pressed down by, suffering to become a host like, , the, , that. How do, , we, , the, , prepare wine? When, , sufferings, , and, , "I am not worthy of it.", , Alphonsa waded off from queries., Tell me what has happened, you need, , not, , shy away,", , Sr. Ursula, , Carmelite, persisted with her query. At the end Sr. Alphonsa said, "I felt a, SIster was standing near me. She touched me very softly. Then she said to, me, "Your fever has left you. You will not have any contagious disease. But, till death many other illnesses will make you suffer. Then Fr. Chavara, , came. He took me by the hand and helped me get up. Both of them went, , we, , good grapes in the wine pYess we get the grape, juice. When, we, is, it purified, get the powerful wine. So when we are, purified by, , squeeze, , pain, we become strong spiritually", In the furnace of, suffering, Sr. Alphonsa became the spotless, host, that, white holy, permeated holiness. She turned out to be the spring, that flowed with, , spiritual power of mercy and blessing the spring that, sprout, depth of suffering and streamed down to the world., Many souls have immersed themselves in this stream of blessing and, out from the, , graces and saved themselves through her sweet solace! Countless are, , the, , hard-hearted persons, , who have melted out like, , snow, , before this, , illuminating figure! Innumerable are the sick people who recognized the, , away.", After this miraculous apparition, all the ailments left forever from, , value of life before her!, , Sr. Alphonsa. She experienced God in much more earnestness and, , 8, Devotion to the Blessed, , intensity. She could see God in her sisters and was full of joy., , 7, In all her, , Symbol of Endurance, The life of Alphonsa, , was, , suffering, Alphonsa, , found, , Virgin, , refuge, , in the, , lap, , of Mother, , Mary. Though she lost her biological mother as an infant, she found, , spent in suffering as in the journey to the, , maternal love and affection flowing from Mother Mary. Her fondness and, , Calvary. Alphonsa could endure intense suffering and pain without letting, , devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary was more than the attachment she felt for, , her mind be frustrated or depressed. It is not the intensity of suffering, but, her attitude to suffering that was the foundation of her holiness. Like St., , her foster mother., , Paul who proclaimed 'who can separate me from the love of Christ,, , Alphonsa, , believed that, , no, , suffering could separate, , her from the love of, , Blessed Virgin Mary was placed with great reverie and love in the, heart of Alphonsa. She, observed Marian devotion without fail, on, , Saturdays and the, , month of May was a, , Christ., , 10, , A, , feast, , days, , of Mother, , Mary. The, , 9elebration ta her everyda
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she would adorn the holy statue with the garland, , ofher holy virtues., , On 28July 1946, Sunday, Alphonsa sat, near the door of the chapel, and participated in the Holy Mass. After, some time, she, , Those days in Kerala, on Saturdays beggars, went from house to house seeking alms. Alphonsa, never returned them empty handed. She was, the angel of mercy to anyone who stretched, out their hand before her. When asked in the, , name of Mary, how could she hold back?, She would give away everything that she had., God's love multiplies when you share what, Him and through His mercy. A person preparing to, be the bride of Christ cannot turn away a grieving person; she cannot be, , you have received from, , stone hearted to the cries of the hungry., The immense love for Mother Mary inspired her to do all this., Even when she lost her memory, she would recite rosary with the help of, , another person. Rosary was the sole consolation during her sleepless, nights of suffering., It was Mary who took Alphonsa closer to Jesus. It may be because, , of this she could utter at the time of her death, "Mary...My Mother, To anyone who calls her Mother, Mary becomes a sea of mercy, , and blessing. This conviction flled throughout the life of Alphonsa, and, , she opened her heart to Mother Mary in prayer: Holy Mary, my mother,, make my heart endearing to the eyes of your son.", The Memorare reminds us too that there is nothing that will not, , be given if we asked Mother Mary; she cannot neglect the children who go, to her for love and affection., , 9, , into an ecstatic, convulsion. So she came back and lay on her went, Her constant, companiOn Sr. Gabriel, who nursed her, too came bed., running. She wouid, , oredict before, , eacn ecstatic, , convulsion that the coming day would be her, death day. She told the sisters standing by to, pray that she may get strength, to sufferBy 8.00 in the morning,, vomiting, stomach pain and convulsions, reached its peak. Those at her bedside thought that the, sickness was at its, worst as it being a new moon day., the convulsions were severe, it, Though, was different from the other times., Before, she would never talk or open her, eyes when the pain went up. That day it was, just the opposite. By ten in the, morning, the convulsions decreased. After some time, she asked what thee, time was. It was after twelve, midday., When she could not endure the, pain she called out Mary, my, Mother', and looked to the picture of the Lady of, Sorrows. At this time there, was an unusual light and happiness on her face., Mother Superior made, her kiss the crucifix and said,, "My child be in peace" To this pacification of, the superior, Alphonsa replied with a smile "I am, not disturbed." Through, the pain she looked at everyone and smiled., After sometime she said, "Please put, on me the religious habit." Thinking, that she was speaking out of her mind, the onlookers, said you have already, worn one. Then why do you say this. She, "Put, on the best religious, replied,, habit to send me away, let me go." The, bystanders asked her Is there, anything special? Should we cal the priest?' The reply to this query was, not that clear. She prayed Jesus Mary and, Joseph' and gasped for breath., Listen there is a noise from my chest. Is it not good to hear-that sound', she, asked Sr. Gabriel who was standing by. She gasped again twice and lay, still., , The sisters looked to her bed with immense grief. The chaplain and the, , In Paradise, , docto arrivea immediately The doctor directed the priest to administer, , The last moments of Alphonsa is described by ev. Fr. Romulus, , CMI, herspiritual.director,in his book "Snehabali (Sacrifice of Love) very, beautifully. It goes like this:, , 12, , the anointing of the sick and it was given. They stood by with the belief that, the convulsion and its, time as usual. But, of heaven.., , 13, , aftereffect would be over in a short, Alphonsa had left for the shores
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10, Angel of Suffering, , SAINT ALPHONSA, Birth, , :19August 1910, , 26th July 1946was laid in the tomb without the presence of a crowd in the, , Baptism, , :26August 1910, , cemetery of Bharananganam Forane Church. At the.funeral service, Fr., , First Holy Communion, , 27 November1917, , Romulus, her spiritual director, uttered these words of prophesy: "With the, , Vestition (Accepting the religious habit), , 19 May 1930, , The holy body of Alphonsawho hadtaken eternalrest in God on, , 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., 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., A life lived unknown in this world was made known to the whole, universe by God's intervention. It's through children that the world first, came to know of the divine power of Sr. Alphonsa. Children in, Bharananganam used to visit the bedridden Sr. Alphonsa and request her, to pray for them before their exams and such important occasions in their, life. After her death, children started visiting her tomb and prayed for her, intercession. The story of blessings received spread like wild fire and, thousands came to Bharananganam to pray to her. To those who prayed, ", , Perpetual profession, , : 12 August 1936, , Death, , : 28 July 1946, , Blessed, , Canonisation, , Feast, , :8 February 1986, , :12October2008, July 28, , with grieving heart and intense faith, she gave in abundance. She did not, , send away anyone empty handed., Alphonsa who from heaven poured down graces was called, , Venerable on 9July 1985. On 8 February 1986, Pope John PaulII during, , his papal visit to India declared her blessed along with Fr. Chavara ata, function at thé Nagampadam ground in Kottayam. On 12 October 2008,, Pope BenedictXVI raised her to the atar of sainthood as an iluminating, , powerofsuffering for the veneration of the whole church., , StAlphonsa who perceived and accepted suffering as the gente, and loving caress of God's hands is a sea of love to those praying for her, intercession. Let this angel of suffering show us the light in our life's joumey., 14, , 14
