confirmed miracle was that of, a disabled child miraculously cured of his ailment clubbed feet, attributed to the intercession of the saint, after prayer at the altar of Sr Alphonsa's shrine. The miracle was approved in 1985 and the beatification of Sister Alphonsa was proclaimed by Pope John Paul II, during his visit to India in 1986. There is a two floored structure in front of the shrine which was originally the Papal podium for the beatification ceremony on 8 Feb.1986. Sister Alphonsa became Saint Alphonsa after she was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI at a ceremony at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City on 12 October 2008. The Clarist convent where Sr. Alphonsa lived is located near St. Mary's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church in Bharananganam. There is a museum adjacent to the convent chapel where the personal belongings of the Saint are well preserved. Accessibility Nearest airport - Cochin International Airport - Nearest railway station - Kottayam - Distance to Cochin/Ernakulam - Distance to Kottayam - Distance to Pala/Palai - Distance to Thiruvananthapuram - Distance to Keezhampara - References External links Bharananganam Temple website Villages in Kottayam district