Sister Alphonsa (Aug 1910 – July 1946) From Blessed One To Saint Poem by Dr John Celes

The cradle of Christianity
In India is Kerala-
Where Saint Thomas, the Apostle
Set foot, two thousand years ago.

The fourth child of father, Ouseph,
She lost her mother, Mariam,
When she was just three years of age,
Remaining sick, all through her life.

‘Be a nun, my child’- were the words,
A Carmelite nun said to her:
These were engraved within her heart
Of love for Jesus Christ, till death.

She did not want to get married;
She chose to be a nun in life;
So, burnt her leg in live ash-pit,
To prove her wish to follow Christ.

She joined the Franciscan Convent
Of Clarist nuns and took her vows;
She suffered pain all life in bed,
But offered it to Jesus Christ.

With pain and agony, she lived,
Self-mortified a life for Christ;
Her suffering had turned all joy,
When love of Savior, filled her heart.

She suffered from malaria,
And Tuberculosis and ulcer;
Some doubted her piety too;
But in the end, just truth triumphed.

A robber attacked her by night,
And left her bleeding and upset;
She died when just thirty-seven;
Of double pneumonia illness.

A one-year boy of Kottayam
Was cured of his deformity,
When parents prayed over her tomb,
Starting a string of miracles!

Beatified by John Paul II,
In 1986 itself,
She wrought miracles numerous,
For devotees who prayed to her.

Young children flocked to see her tomb
And prayed to Sister Alphonsa;
Their handicaps were cured at once;
Ailments of stomach vanished fast.

Some barren wombs had gift of child;
All kinds of ailments vanished fast;
She interceded when they prayed
To God and miracles were wrought.

Her name has brought her hometown fame;
The sister will be canonized
On October twelfth of this year-
First Indian nun and female saint!

Like how wheat grains are crushed and ground
To bake the Holy Eucharist;
And grapes are pressed to make good wine,
Our sufferings too make us good.

Her tomb at Bharananganam,
Is famous pilgrimage centre.
She is the proof of God’s great works;
The road to sainthood isn’t easy!

Dedicated to the loving memory
Of the Venerable Sis. Alphonsa,
Who will be declared Saint shortly.

Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-6-2008