Fransiscan
Littleness and Humility in Bl. Alphonsa’s life
Sr. Philip Neri F.C.C.
Francis of Assisi
the Poverello was born in a very rich family in Italy. He was a typical
youth of the Thirteenth century who longed to achieve name and fame and
enjoy the pleasures of this world. On his adventurous journey to win knighthood
he was caught up by Jesus. Francis could not but obey the call of his
Divine Master. He left everything he had, every ambition he had dreamed
of and started his pilgrimage in the very foot prints of the crucified
Lord. He became intoxicated with the love, humility and littleness he
saw in Incarnation, passion and His continued presence in the Holy Eucharist.
Crib, Calvary and Ciborium became the objects of his meditation. His sincerity
and simplicity attracted many young men. People from all walks of life
came forward to follow him and then Francis wanted his followers to be
known as Lesser brothers or Minors.
Alphonsa was a poor Franciscan clarist sister. While at home Annakutty’s
eager desire was to join a poor congregation and she used to pray for
it. Her desire to lead a hidden life in the service of the Lord was fulfilled
when she joined the clarist convent at Bharananganam which was financially
very poor at that time. She lived as a professed sister only for ten years
and that too, almost in sick bed. Alphonsa did not occupy any conspicuous
position in the convent. She worked as a teacher only for one academic
year.
Though she was almost confined to bed and wanted to be unknown and hidden,
her sanctity began to spread its fragrance even when she was alive. After
a thief frightened her, she, became unable to hide the Divine flame burning
in her heart and soul.
In the gospel of St. Matthew we read “In that time the disciples
came to Jesus saying” who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven
and calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said:
“Truly I say to you unless you turn and become like children, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Who ever humbles himself like
this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”. Mt 18:1-4.
We see how these words of Jesus have come true in the life of Bl. Alphonsa.
Alphonsa compared herself to a little bird which is very light and hence
can soar high up in the air. She said “Little birds are light and
can fly at high speed. Even the flappings of its wings will be noiseless.
Like that little sparrow, I too will fly away. When my sacrifice is consumed,
my sweet Lord will call me. Then I will run a race and sit in my Lord’s
bosom. Nobody will know of it. My death will happen along with an ecstasy.
As this painful ecstasy occurs very often, no one will take it seriously.
I will run silently to my heavenly home and nobody will notice it.”
Alphonsa’s burning love and humility are expressed in these words.
She loved and was loved by little children. They longed to play with her
and often pulled impulsively at her habit to draw her into their games.
Once a six year old little girl came to see Alphonsa along with the members
of her family and told her “I have longed to see you ever since.
I have heard that you have received the last sacraments. Jesus is keeping
you lovingly. He will come and take you away to heaven.”
Alphonsa’s room was very close to the school. She used to stand
at the window of her room to see her little friends. When they saw her,
they rushed up to her to see her charming innocent smile and also to request
her prayers. Her little friends called her “our smiling sister”.
After her death, it was the children of the convent school who started
decorating her tomb and burning candles around it. Their small requests
were granted and the little ones began to proclaim the good news of her
powerful intercession. All the attempts of the elders to keep the children
away from her tomb were in vain.
There are so many instances to be quoted which show her childlike trust
in the Divine Providence. When the superiors were worried over certain
problems, they used to seek her advice and prayers. One day in 1944 Alphonsa
came to know that her superior was in dire need of money and was perplexed
finding no means to get it. She called her mother to her room and told
her “Dear Mother, why should we be worried when St. Joseph is there
to intercede for us. You please go to the chapel and pray seven times
“glory be....’ in honour of the seven joys and seven sorrows
of St. Joseph. Be sure; your request will be granted.” Mother acted
accordingly and the problem was solved. Alphonsa was a source of refuge
and consolation to her superiors and Mother Bernerdita has testified to
it.
Alphonsa’s own prayer is an example of her Franciscan littleness,
humility and burning love. She prayed “O Jesus hide me in the wound
of Thy Sacred Heart.......Humiliate me until I am almost nothing; until
I become a spark in the fire of the love burning in Thy Divine Heart.”
When others, even consecrated persons go after name and fame, Alphonsa
wanted to lead a hidden life and remain unknown. A spark has no existence
of its own. The grains of wheat when crushed and powdered can be used
to make the host. When the grapes are pressed and squeezed, we get wine.
Though the identity of the grains and grapes is lost, they are transformed
into the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alphonsa gave a thought provoking piece of advice to the young sisters.
She said “The leaves that lie at the foot of the plants rot away
thus providing the food which makes the flowers grow. All see the flowers
and rejoice but no one thinks of the decaying leaves that fed them. For
us it is enough that we remain as those leaves for ever.” Her theology
of littleness and humility is well expressed in the story of the decaying
leaves, which allow the flowers to shine at the expense of its very existence.
In the gospel of St. Matthew we read a parable about the kingdom of God.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man
took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds; but when
it has grown, it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that
the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches” Mt 13:31-33.
Alphonsa wanted to become small like a mustard seed. But her Heavenly
Spouse wanted to make the ‘secret of littleness’ to be known
all over the world. As in the case of the mustard tree, thousands of people
of every caste and creed, flock to her humble tomb, seeking peace and
consolation. They unburden their needs anxieties and worries at the tomb
of this humble sister who has cheered up the lives of many, through her
prayers, little acts of charity, small yet meaningful pieces of advice
and her gentle smile during her short life. Now she is proclaiming to
the world at large the greatness hidden in littleness. Like St. Francis
and St. Clare Alphonsa also was intoxicated with the littleness and humility
of the three C’s - Crib, Calvary and Ciborium.
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