Pala ∙ Pope Benedict XVI, who presented India’s first saint, is now a candlelight memorial. The Diocese of Pala and Bharanganam are the pilgrimage center of St. Alphonsa in commemoration of Pope Benedict XVI who canonized Alphonsama. When Alphonsama was canonized, the continent of Asia also received its first saint.
Alphonsama was canonized on October 12, 2008 at a ceremony held at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangat, Mar Joseph Pallikapparampil, diocesan Vicar General Fr. Joseph Kuginjal, Fr. Philip Njeralakat, Vice Postulator Fr. Francis Vadakkel, Jinil Ozhutotiyil, who was a member of the Mannapara parish who was miraculously healed by St. Alphonsama, and others participated in the canonization at the Vatican.
Pope Benedict XVI was a prominent theologian, writer and brave warrior of faith, said the Rector of the Holy Alphonsa Pilgrimage Center in Bharanganam, Fr. Jose Vallompurayatam said.
When the news of Pope Benedict’s death was heard, bells rang in the churches and institutions of the diocese as a sign of mourning.