A Saint who consciously tries not to commit even a minor sin
“I would much rather die than commit consciously even a slight venial sin and offend God thereby.” St Alphonsa
Rev. Sr. Diamianos FCC penned a poignant book on St. Alphonsa, a testament to Alphonsa’s canonization in 2008. The book Alphonsammayude Likhithnagal includes a chapter about a mind akin to Snow. There, we find an episode in which Alphonsamma’s classmate and close relative, Sr Agasamma FCC, journeyed to Bharangananam to visit Alphonsa.
Alphonsa told Agasamma, “I must go for a confession.”
“Why don’t you tell the Vicar?” asked Sr Agasamma.
“The vicar will say I cannot hear Alphonsa’s confession; she is a saint.”
“What have you committed such a great sin by lying here?” the companion with freedom asked.
“Yes, Mother scolded the nurse sister in the next room for not pre-buying and collecting the oranges for me to eat. I felt so bad.”
What is it? Isn’t what Mother Superior said right? For Alphonsa, a day’s worth of food is only an orange. If you don’t get that too early! Isn’t that why? The friend replied.
“The Lord did not like that I was troubled. I have now committed three wrongs against the Lord. I should have thought it happened because the Lord decided – I didn’t. I resisted the Lord’s will. I did not believe in God’s providence. These are faults against love. Confess and be reconciled as soon as possible”.
Can those who have set foot only on the foundations of spiritual life see the error in this?
Alphonsa was visibly changed when she returned to see Mother and Sisters. Her countenance was lighter, and she seemed to carry a burden lifted from her soul.
A priest came into the visiting room. I confessed to him.” Alphonsa said cheerfully.
I consciously try not to commit even a minor sin. But the letter mentions that mistakes against God’s love come and go.
This is a profound manifestation of the inner purity of a soul, a testament to the higher order of divine unity in the light of self-knowledge acquired in the novitiate.
The pursuit of holiness is central to Christian spirituality (1 Peter 1:15-16). It involves growing closer to God, conforming our will to His, and becoming Christ-like in our thoughts, words, and actions. For Alphonsa, the goal of avoiding even minor sins was not just about rules but also about our love for God and our desire to live in harmony with His will. Her life and messages invoke in us a passion for a
journey of continual conversion and striving for a deeper union with God, rooted in His love for us and our love for Him.
Fr Jaison Kunnel MCBS