Sister Alphonsa to be canonised by Pope Benedict XVI today at Vatican City. She was born in a small village named Kudamaloor near Kottayam, Kerala. Born as Annakkutty on 1910 in Kudamaloor and later moved to a convent at Bharananganam and changed her name to Alphonsa in 1930. She took her permanent vows on August 12, 1936. She died on July 28, 1946.

She is the first Indian born woman reaching the sainthood. 1000s of people from Kerala are present Vatican City to attend the function.