Blessed Alphonsa canonized by Pope Benedict, becomes India's first woman saint

In an address to tens of thousands of worshippers who congregated in St. Peter square at Vatican, the pope said Sr. Alphonsa was "an exceptional woman, who is offered to the people of India as their first canonized saint."

Recalling how, Sr. Alphonsa stepped on hot coals to burn and disfigure her feet to escape a forced arranged marriage and become a nun and dedicate her life to God, the pope said she "was convinced that her cross was the very means of reaching the heavenly banquet prepared for her by the Father."

Despite her feet being badly burnt and keeping ill for the rest of her life till she passed away in 1946 at the age of 36, the pope said Sr. Alphonsa remained faithful to God and he praised for her compassion and stoicism.

She had lived in "extreme physical and spiritual suffering", the pope said, adding, "May we imitate her in shouldering our own crosses so as to join her one day in paradise."

Sr. Alphonsa was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986, 40 years after her death, in recognition of the numerous miracles associated with her. Her tomb has become a pilgrimage site and she has been credited with several miracles, particularly curing illness and disease.