St. Mary’s Church, Bharananganam, Kottayam

Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception was a Catholic Franciscan Religious Sister who is now honored as a saint, the first person of Indian origin to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church and the first canonized saint of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, an Eastern Catholic Church of the Saint Thomas Christian community.

The main structure of the church, which began to be known as St.Alphonsa Shrine Church following the canonization of Sr. Alphonsa on 12th October 2008 had been built in the year 1945 as a cemetery chapel of St. Mary’s Church Bharananganam. Sr.Alphonsa is the first nun ever to have been buried there. Her tomb now stands at the very place where her mortal remains were buried on 29 July 1946.

During the period 1963-64, a side wing with family tombs was added. With the completion of new tombs in the parish graveyard in 1985, burial in the cemetery chapel was discontinued and the mortal remains of the dead interred therein except those of St.Alphonsa were exhumed and inhumed in the newly built vaults/chambers.

Alphonsa Bhavan

The office of the postulator and the lodging for pilgrims were housed in the Alphonsa Bhavan situated close to the Forane Church.It was built in 1971 after demolishing the two-storied presbytery, the first ever of its kind in Kerala of the 17th century vintage. The living quarters for priests, accommodations for pilgrims, the Alphonsa Museum, an audio-visual gallery and a stall selling devotional objects are here.

The Papal Podium

A unique historical memorial, the papal podium stands adjacent to the Pilgrim Church. Gracing the dais at the Nagampadam stadium at Kottayam on 8th February 1986, Pope John Paul II of blessed memories beatified Sr.Alphonsa and Fr.Kuriakose Elias Chavara. The podium erected in sync with indigenous architectonics was bought by the Diocese of Palai and translocated at Bharananganam.

Grotto & Granite Plaques

Close to the pilgrim churches stands the grotto and are displayed granite plaques engraved with Alphonsian logia.

Alphonsa Tower

The following facilities are available in the Alphonsa Tower situated parallel to the State highway adjacent to the parking ground.
1. Canteen: Direct access to the canteen can be had from the parking ground. Bookings may be made in advance.
2. Accommodation: Accommodation for pilgrims is available on the top floor of the Alphonsa Tower. Bookings can be made in advance. Phone: 04822-236244
3. Public Convenience: The facility stands close to the parking ground.
4. Shopping Centre: It functions on the ground floor and the first floor of Alphonsa Tower.

Alphonsa Stall

The Pilgrims can get devotional objects as well as books and CD’s on the life of the saint blessed colourful pictures associated with the Saint, statuettes, statues, garlands, biographies, CDs, DVDs, candles, multi-tiered lamps, edible offerings from St.Alphonsa Stall functioning close to the pilgrim centre. It is open from 7.30 A.M. to 8.30 P.M. Holy Oil, candles, neyappam (a confectionery offering) can be had from the opening counter nearly. Open counter is the facility functions near the main stall from 7.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. The pilgrims can make the payment here for liturgical celebrations in fulfillment of their vows. Blessed oil, nercha appam (offerings of indigenous confectionaries), candles, calendars, diaries, etc., can be had from here. After 6.00 p.m. the service is offered at the main stall. An extension Stall functions in the museum building from 8.45 a.m. to 4.45 p.m.

Offerings

One of the main offerings to the saint is neyappam, a deep fried confectionery. It is invariably served during the memorial rituals of St.Thomas Christians. It gives physical healing to many devotees. They are distributed in packets at the pilgrim centre. Saris, lamps, lanterns and flowers are offered at the Shrine for favours received or to be received. Supplicants who seek the saint’s intersession so that they may be blessed with children place a cradle at the tomb and pray ardently.

Stained Portrait

In the Alphonsa Tower situated parallel to the state highway and close to the pilgrims church is displayed a stunning 30’ tall stained glass portrait of the Saint.

Annual festival: Feast of the St. Alphonsa (July).

Prayer of St. Alphonsa

O Lord Jesus, hide me in the wound of your sacred heart. Free me from my desire to be loved and esteemed. Guard me from my evil attempts to win fame and honor. Make me humble till I become a small spark in the flame of love in your Sacred Heart. Grant me the grace to forget myself and all worldly things. Jesus, sweet beyond words, convert all worldly consolations into bitterness for me. O my Jesus, Sun of Justice, enlighten my intellect and mind with your sacred rays. Purify my heart, consume me with burning love for you, and make me one with you.

Town:: There are frequent buses from Kottayam and Palai to Bharananganam, and Kottayam is well connected by road to all important South Indian cities and towns.
Airport:: Nearest airport - Cochin International Airport - 78 km
Railway Station:: Nearest railway station - Kottayam - 32 km
District:: Kottayam
Longitude:: 9.701690
Latitude:: 76.726829