First Indian Woman Blessed Alphonsa To Be Canonised On Oct. 12
Blessed Alphonsa from Kottayam, Kerala will be declared as a saint on Oct. 12 this year in the Vatican by Pope Benedict XVI. She will be the first Indian woman to be declared a saint.Saturday, Mar. 1, in the consistory hall of the Vatican palace, Pope Benedict XVI held an ordinary public consistory to announce the names of four blessed soon to be inscribed into the roll of saints.Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martens, Prefect of Congregation for the Cause of the Saints, read the list of the blessed: 1. Blessed Fr. Gaetano Errico, Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (1791-1860).2. Blessed Maria Bernarda Butler, Swiss foundress of the Congregation of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (1848-1924).3. Blessed Alfonsa of the Immaculate Conception, Indian professed sister of the Congregation of Poor Clares of the Third Order of St. Francis (1910-1946).4. Blessed Narcisa de Jesus Martillo Moran, Ecuadorian...
