NDTV
Vatican, Mar 2: On October 12 this year, Sister Alphonsa will become the second Indian to be officially declared a saint by the Vatican. The date was decided at a meeting in Vatican on Sunday.
NDTV visited the convent in Bharnanganam where Sister Alphonsa spent most part of her life.
It is said that a physically challenged boy was cured of his deformity after praying at Sister Alphonsa's tomb.
Last year, the Pope accepted it was a miracle based on which Sister Alphonsa will be declared a saint.
Barely 500 metres away from Bharnanganam, there's a museum, which is more a pilgrimage centre.
The sister joined this convent in 1927 and spent 20 years serving the people before she died of illness at the age of 36.
From the cot on which she breathed her last to her personal belongings everything is well preserved. Now that the Vatican will declare her a saint everyone here is excited.
''We are very happy that she is going to be cannonised. It's a big thing we are waiting for that occasion,'' said Sister Grace, Senior Member, Alphonsa Convent, Bharananganam.
Sister Alphonsa was beatified by Pope John Paul the II in 1986.
With the canonisation slated scheduled for October people are coming from various parts of the state to the church to offer prayers.
This group of differently-abled women has come all the way from Kochi to seek the blessings of Sister Alphonsa.
''It is a big thing for Kerala church. She is going to be canonized,'' said Father Joseph, Parish Priest.
Once declared saint, Sister Alphonsa will become the second Indian to get that status after St Gonsalo Garcia.
And the Roman Catholic Church is looking forward to the D-day in October.