India-born nun to be canonised on Sunday | Discuss

MIRACLE NUN: One of the miracles attributed to Sister Alphonsa is that of curing a nine year old boy’s deformity.

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Bharnamganam (Kerala): India will soon have its first Catholic saint. Sister Alphonsa from Kerala will become the first nun from India to be canonised by the Vatican ahead of Mother Teresa. She’ll be Saint Alphonsa on October 12.

One of the miracles attributed to Sister Alphonsa is that of curing a nine year old boy’s deformity. And, the boy along with his father has already left for Rome to be a part of the canonisation ceremony.

Genil, who was born with a deformity, is now walking like a normal child. His parents believe that their prayers at Sister Alphonsa's tomb were answered. And this is one of the many beliefs that formed the basis for India's first Catholic nun being bestowed sainthood.

“We took him to Sister alphonsa's tomb and there we prayed one whole night and by the next day the miracle happened,” says the Genil’s father Shaji.

Although Genil was just a young boy then, he clearly remembers visiting the tomb with his parents.

“I don’t remember all that happened but my mom and dad have told me that I was cured by Sister Alphonsa only. I am now very excited to go to Rome and see the ceremony there,” says Genil.

At the nearby convent in Bharnamganam where Sister Alphonsa lived only a few have seen her. They say Sister Alphonsa was no ordinary woman and a mere look at her face gave away the divinity in her. Perhaps her sainthood was a foregone conclusion.

“When I was very young in school I have seen this sister along with others knitting on the steps of the convent,” says Sister Grace from Bharnamganam Convent.

After her death in 1946, it has just taken sixty two years for Sister Alphonsa to get canonised.