Kottayam (PTI): Thousands of worshippers have thronged the tomb of Sister Alphonsa, who will be declared a Saint by Pope Benedict XVI at a ceremony at the Vatican on Sunday.

Men, women and children have been offering worship at her tomb at Barnanganam near here since last night seeking the blessings of Sister Alphonsa, who will become the first Indian woman to achieve the high spiritual position in the hall of fame and veneration of the Catholic Church.

Special prayers and meetings will also be held across Kerala to spread the news of canonisation.

Prayers were also held in the morning at a church in Kudamaloor where sister Alpohnsa was baptised and at Alphonsa bhavan which had been her ancestral home.

Among those who are eagerly waiting for the ceremony to begin are 99 year-old Lakshmikutty and 102-year old Mariyamma, both former classmates of sister Alphonsa.