Pilgrimage Saint Alphonsa Tour
Bharananganam church, one of the famous Christian pilgrim centres is located near Palai in Kottayam district. The mortal remains of blessed Alphonsa are kept in a chapel next to the St. Mary's Church here. On July 28th of every year, the death anniversary of Sister, the Bharananganam church celebrates the holy Saint Alphonsa’s Feast.
Devotees can also visit Alphonsa museum in the Chapel compound, where hundreds of exhibits associated with the life of blessed Alphonsa are preserved.
Welcome - Pilgrimage to Saint Alphonsa Church
Alphonsa Muttathupadathu of Bharanaganam is the first Indian woman to be canonized to full sainthood. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986 and was officially declared a saint on October 12, 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI. Forty years after her death, on February 8, 1986, Pope John Paul II had beatified her at Kottayam. On June 1, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI authorised her canonization.
Born as Annakkutty (19th August 1910), in Kudamaloor a rural village in Kottayam district, Kerala, India, she was the fourth child to Joseph and Mary Muttathupadathu.
Saint Thomas churches (Ezhara Pallikal)
Pilgrimage to Saint Thomas Churches
It is the tradition in Malabar, that the Apostle was successful in the conversion of the high caste Nambhudiri Brahmins. Four of the leading Brahmin families are believed to have been raised to the privilege of priesthood. They are: Pakalomattam (Palamattam), Sankarapuri, Kalli and Kallian Kavu. The head of the Malabar Church - the Archdeacon - had to be selected from Pakalomattam. This practice was continued among the Jacobite seceders, till a hundred years ago.
Alphonsa Muttathupadathu of Bharanaganam is the first Indian woman to be canonized to full sainthood. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986 and was officially declared a saint on October 12, 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI. Forty years after her death, on February 8, 1986, Pope John Paul II had beatified her at Kottayam. On June 1, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI authorised her canonization.Born as Annakkutty (19th August 1910), in Kudamaloor a rural village in Kottayam district, Kerala, India, she was the fourth child to Joseph and Mary Muttathupadathu.
Saint Thomas churches (Ezhara Pallikal)
Pilgrimage to Saint Thomas Churches
It is the tradition in Malabar, that the Apostle was successful in the conversion of the high caste Nambhudiri Brahmins. Four of the leading Brahmin families are believed to have been raised to the privilege of priesthood. They are: Pakalomattam (Palamattam), Sankarapuri, Kalli and Kallian Kavu. The head of the Malabar Church - the Archdeacon - had to be selected from Pakalomattam. This practice was continued among the Jacobite seceders, till a hundred years ago.