In Kerala in Kudamaloor a small village in Kottayam we got the first women saint Sister Alphonsamma. Sister was the first Catholic Indian saint also. Pilgrimage trips to different parts of India is always an excitement. Last year i have gone to Goa St Francis Church to visit the tomb of Saint Francis. A trip to Goa was very nice eventhough the food there is not that good. Alphonsa sister was known as Annakutty among her family and friends. Her mother died when she was very young and she was brought up by her aunt who was very strict. Sister Alphonsa used to have a disease called Eczema. She had to face a lot of difficulties when she was very young. Satans in different forms came to disturb her. She was very beautiful and cute and this caused many men to love her and they started proposing her. But she was a girl who wanted to be the Manavatti of Jesus (She wanted to become a Sister) Later she joined Franciscan Clarist Congregation and received religious habit at Bharananganam Church. She got cured from her diseases through the intervention of Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara but she again got struck with severe attack of pneumonia. 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. And later she died on 28 July 1946, aged 35. She is buried at Bharananganam, South India, in the Diocese of Palai. Her tomb in Bharananganam has become a pilgrimage site as miracles have been reported by some faithful. The miracle attributed to her intercession and approved by the Vatican for the canonization was the healing of the club foot of an infant in 1999. This Nun from South India had all sufferings in her life due to diseases but all the time she prayed for good health of others and she very much liked small children. Sister Alphonsa was canonised in October 2008. Saint Alphonsa is the first person to be conferred sainthood from the Kerala Church, which traces its origins to the visit of St Thomas around 2,000 years ago to preach the gospel in India, and the second Indian to get that status after St Gonsalo Garcia.

The Novenas and prayers at this chappel is scheduled as follows.

Monday -Friday (6.30 am and 11 am), Saturday (8.15 am and 3 pm), Sunday (8.15 am)

At present the staying facilities or accommodations near this church is not possible as it is a small village. If you are planning to spend a day or two you will have to take accommodation at Palai or Kottayam for keeping your main luggages and then going to church. By 2009 we can expect more facilities being provided near the church as it is being recognised as in International pilgrim centre like Malayatoor.

Alphonsa chappel can be reached by Bus easily. There are frequent buses from Kottayam and Palai to Bharananganam, and Kottayam is well connected by road to all important South Indiancities and towns.

Cochin International Airport is about 76 km from Kottayam town. The nearest airport is at Kochi International Airport, Nedumbassery about 76 km km from Kottayam. The routes are Nedumbassery - Aluva - Kalamassery - Thripunithra - Ettumanoor - Pala -Bharananganam or Nedumbassery - Kalady - Perumbavoor - Muvattupuzha - Thodupuzha - Palai -Bharananganam

Bharananganam town is located 5 kms east of Palai in Kottayam district on the Kottayam - Erattupett Road. Palai lies 30 k.m southwest of Kottayam.

The nearest railways is at Ettumanoor which is 12 kms from Palai and the nearest railway station is at Kottayam which is 33 km away.

Address and Phone Numbers of Alphonsa Churches at Kottayam.Kerala.

Saint Alphonsa's Chapel Bharananganam P.O. Kottayam- 686578 Ph : 0482-2236244, 2238144

Vicar, St. Mary's Forane Church, Anakkallu Bharananganam, diocese of Palai, Kerala Phone 0482-2237144, 2238145

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