Commemorative Coin for India’s First Woman Saint, Sister Alphonsa
India’s government announced on Saturday that it would issue a commemorative coin celebrating Sister Alphonsa. Pope Benedict XVI conferred Sainthood on her Sunday, making her the first native-born saint from India
"This exceptional woman, who today is offered to the people of India as their first canonized saint, was convinced that her cross was the very means of reaching the heavenly banquet prepared for her by the Father," said Pope Benedict XVI.
"She wrote, ‘I consider a day without suffering as a day lost.’ May we imitate her in shouldering our own crosses so as to join her one day in paradise," he added.
St. Alphonsa Muttathupandathu was a nun from a remote village in Kerala (Southwestern India) who was known for her holiness during a lifetime of extreme physical suffering. She was born on August 19, 1910, and passed away 62 years ago.
At a young age, St. Alphonsa was determined to become a nun after reading the lives of the saints. At age 14, she deliberately burned her foot so that her disfigurement would prevent an arranged marriage. At age 17, St. Alphonsa joined the Franciscan Clarist Congregation.
According the the Catholic News Service, she taught for a time, but was soon confined to her convent because of a succession of illnesses, including typhoid fever, pneumonia, skin infections and a wasting disease. At the same time, her life was marked by periods of great spiritual joy.
Very few details were made available in Indian Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram’s announcement Saturday about the commemorative coin, other than it will be released to mark the centenary of St. Alphonsa’s birth on August 19, 2009.
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October 14th, 2008 at 4:10 am
When does Indian Government Mint or Reserve Bank of India issues Sister Alphonsa Commemorative Coins? I am insterested in this commemorative coin issue, so Please tell me How I can order this coins from Indian Government Mint or Reserve Bank of India? Or what coin dealers will sell this coins?
October 14th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Please let me know where I can get the commemorative coins of St.Alphonsa ? If at RBI, what is the denomination it is issued ? From when will it be available ? Who should be contacted in this regard? Is there any last date ?
October 14th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
It looks like these could be hard to acquire since it appears coins are distributed only through regional India banks?
http://www.rbi.org.in/currency/coins.html
November 10th, 2008 at 1:27 am
Generally coins that are meant to be released as Commemoratives can be obtained either by
A.) placing an order with the India Government mints at Mumbai (Bombay) or Kolkata (Calcutta) in India.
OR
B.) through coin dealers in India
Generally news items on commemorative coins are made on the day of commemoration, however the mints in India have a delayed schedule (normally 3 / 6 months) after which they invite applications for booking coins.
As on 10 November 2008 Kolkata Mint is accepting booking for 75TH Anniversary of the Indian Airforce. In the recent times Indian Mints have standardized the coin denominations. Usually they issue coins as pairs. Indian Rupees 5 and 100, both in UNC and Proof condition.
We will need to wait for a formal announcement from the Indian Mints to book this coin.
Trust this information helps.
Cheers
Prakash