Sister Alphonsa becomes India's first Woman Saint

Breaking News! Sister Alphonsa, a nun from Kottayam, Kerala became the first-ever woman saint from India today. She is the second from Indian Roman Catholic church to get canonised. On the previous occasion, half-Indian St Goncalo Garcia, who died in Japan, was conferred the sainthood.

Sister Alphonsa Muttathupandathu, who was born in 1910, died at the age of 36 in 1946 at Bharananganam. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986. Alphonsa was conferred the sainthood today by Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City. Over 5,000 Indians were among the huge congregation of people present at the ceremony. It was a proud moment for Indian Christians. Sister Alphonsa was considered for the sainthood after a boy suffering from deformity was cured while praying at her tomb.

Currently, 14 other Indians including Mother Teresa are waiting for the sainthood. They already have been beatified. The journey to sainthood is not an easy step. A miracle in the form of medical healing is needed to confer the sainthood. The medical healing should take place in case of a disease that cannot be cured by medical science. It has to be certified by the doctor involved, and a group of doctors. Once the report is sent to Rome, it is counter checked. The Vatican is very strict on recognising miracles. If there is a slightest of the doubts, it automatically gets rejected.