Bharananganam: The serene town of Bharananganam is set to become a hub of spiritual devotion and celebration as preparations reach their peak for the annual feast of Saint Alphonsa. Commencing on July 19, this year's celebration holds special significance as it coincides with the Platinum Jubilee of the Diocese of Pala, adding historic and spiritual depth to the festivities.
The official inauguration of the feast will take place at 11:15 AM on the 19th of July, with the ceremonial flag hoisting led by Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt at the Saint Alphonsa Pilgrimage Centre. Bishops Mar Joseph Pallikaparambil and Mar Mathew Arackal will also be present for the inaugural ceremony. The event is being jointly organized by the Bharananganam Forane Church and the Saint Alphonsa Pilgrimage Centre, both of which hold deep ties to the legacy of India’s first woman saint.
For ten days, from July 19 to the main feast day on July 28, the faithful will have the opportunity to attend Holy Masses continuously from 5:30 AM to 7:00 PM. These days of prayer and reflection will be enriched by the presence of a host of bishops from across the Syro-Malabar Church. Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil, Bishop Mar Mathew Arackal, Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, Bishop Dr. James Raphael Anaparambil, Bishop Mar Remigius Inchananiyil, Bishop Mar Jose Pulikkal, Bishop Samuel Mar Irenaeus, Bishop Mar Sebastian Vadakkel, Bishop Mar Joseph Srampickal, Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath, and Bishop Mar Joseph Kollamparambil will each lead Holy Masses on designated days and offer spiritual messages to the pilgrims.
The culmination of the festivities will take place on July 28, the main feast day, with a solemn Holy Mass at 10:30 AM at the Forane Church. The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, with Bishop Mar Joseph Srampickal serving as the co-celebrant. The liturgical celebration will be followed by a grand procession starting at 12:30 PM from the Forane Church, making its way through the streets of Bharananganam and concluding at the Saint Alphonsa Pilgrimage Centre. The event will then reconvene at the parish church for final blessings and a communal gathering of the faithful.
Adding to the grace of this year’s feast is the continuous 24-hour opening of the cemetery church, where Saint Alphonsa's mortal remains rest. Throughout all ten days of the celebration, pilgrims will be able to visit the sacred site without restriction an act of devotion that resonates deeply with the theme of spiritual renewal and gratitude marking the Diocese’s 75th year.
Bharananganam, often referred to as the "Lisieux of India," is once again transforming into a sacred beacon of faith and healing, drawing thousands of devotees to the footsteps of Saint Alphonsa. With vibrant liturgies, moving processions, and the unshakable faith of the people, the feast stands not only as a celebration of sainthood but as a living testament to the enduring spirit of Kerala’s Catholic community.