Vatican City (PTI): The name of Sister Alphonsa, who on Sunday became the first woman saint from India to be conferred Sainthood, can be invoked during prayers by the Christian community across the world. Sister Aplhonsa, a nun from a remote village in Kerala who passed away 62 years ago, was conferred sainthood by Pope Benedict XVI at a special ceremony here.

With this honour, her name can now be invoked during prayers and churches can be dedicated in her honour. Already, a church in New Delhi has been dedicated in her honour. Images of Sister Alphonsa can be drawn, printed and respected and mass can be offered in her honour. Feast days can be celebrated to honour her memory and relics can also be publicy honoured.

Watched by over 5,000 Indian Christians who came here for the historic ceremony from India and other parts of the world as well as thousands of others, the Pope declared Sister Alphonsa from Bharanganam village in Kottayam district, who died at a young age of 36 in 1946, as a saint.