St Alphonsa coin released

BHARANANGANAM, Aug. 24, 2009, 16.10 Hrs (Express News Service):

Amid welling up of pious and fond thoughts of Saint Alphonsa as an eternal symbol of love, suffering and compassion, a commemorative coin in her name was released here on Sunday in the presence of a sea of faithful and a galaxy of dignitaries.

The event marked the initiation of the year-long birth centenary fete of India’s first woman saint.

Releasing the commemorative coin in Rs 5 denomination bearing the engraving of the saint and declaring the birth centenary celebrations on, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee remarked that the thoughts on Saint Alphonsa’s noble spirit and spiritual strength transcended across religions, geographic borders and all people. Observing that the saint had, in her short life of 36 years, been a fountain of selfless service, compassion and love, the minister said that Bharananganam, where she had lived most part of her life as a nun in the Clarist Order of St Francis of Assisi, now embodies lessons on religious harmony not only for Kerala, but the whole country.

“St Alphonsa embodies the noble spirit and her life symbolises spirituality.

Her spiritual presence consoles all, who held her close in their prayers”, he said.
Mukherjee also underscored that for thousands of years, Christianity, as a religion, not only preached but practised love for humanity, tolerance and religious harmony. Though a small sect, the X’ian missionaries had contributed immensely in the education field of the country. As a teacher, Saint Alphonsa was also keen on the relevance of education for the underprivileged, he noted.

The minister said that through the release of the coin, the message of oneness, unity and secularism was given, while the nation pays its tribute to the pious memory of the departed saint.

Receiving the coin from Mukherjee, bishop (emeritus) Mar Joseph Pallikaparampil said that it was one of the greatest and noble gesture from the part of the Centre to release such a coin.

Speaking on the occasion, Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil (emeritus) Mar Joseph Powathil wished that the values espoused by Saint Alphonsa throughout her life and noble deeds should be cherished and followed by the contemporary era.

Union Minister of state for Home Mullappally Ramachandran said that the occasion was a proud moment for not only the Christian fold but for all others who believed in secularism.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture K V Thomas felt that through the coin release, the life of St Alphonsa will be spread more in the midst of the people.

Presiding over the meet, Pala bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt said that the ‘Alphonsa effect’ is all pervasive like a Godly experience of a mystic saint. While India got a saint out of her, a wave is lashing among believers even in Europe, he said.

Jose K Mani MP welcomed Pranab Mukherjee to release the coin. K M Mani MLA, KPCC chief Ramesh Chennithala, former Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob, Anto Antony MP, MLAs P C George, K C Joseph and Thomas Chazhikadan, Knanaya Catholic archbishop Mar Mathew Moolekkatt, bishops and other dignitaries also spoke.

Scores of nuns and priests, apart from believers were present to witness the auspicious ceremony.