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.

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The Perth Mint of Australia has minted silver and gold commemorative coins celebrating the World Youth Day 2008, the largest youth event in the world organised by the Catholic Church and held in Sydney from July 15-20, 2008.

Hundreds of thousands of participants will celebrate at the event along with his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, who will be visiting Australia for the first time.

To commemorate the XXIII World Youth Day, the Mint created a set of limited edition one ounce silver and gold coins depicting the Pope. The coins are now available for sale and two have already been given in a ceremony to Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney.

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