"St. Devasahayam, pray for us to remain steadfast in our faith and devotion to God. Help us to follow your example of courage and love, even in the face of trials. Amen."
ST. DEVASAHAYAM
ST. DEVASAHAYAM
St. Devasahayam Pillai was an Indian convert to Catholicism who endured severe persecution and martyrdom for his faith. He became the first Indian layman to be canonized a saint by the Catholic Church.
St. Devasahayam Pillai, born Neelakanda Pillai on April 23, 1712, in Nattalam (now in Tamil Nadu, India), was a Hindu from a high-caste Nair family who later converted to Catholicism. He served as a court official in the Kingdom of Travancore and came into contact with a Dutch naval commander, Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, who introduced him to the Christian faith. Deeply moved by the Gospel and the Christian understanding of suffering and salvation, Neelakanda converted and was baptized in 1745, taking the name “Devasahayam,” the Tamil equivalent of Lazarus, meaning “God is my help.”
His conversion to Christianity, especially as a member of the upper caste, sparked resentment among the local elites and religious leaders. He preached equality and justice based on Christian teachings, challenging the social hierarchies and discrimination prevalent in the caste system. For this reason, he was falsely accused of treason, arrested, tortured for over three years, and finally shot dead on January 14, 1752, in the Aralvaimozhi hills.
His unwavering commitment to the Christian faith and his refusal to renounce his beliefs in the face of brutal persecution made him a powerful symbol of religious conviction and social justice. Devasahayam's cause for canonization began in 2004. He was declared a martyr in 2012 and was officially canonized by Pope Francis on May 15, 2022.
His canonization is historic as he became the first Indian layman and first Indian martyr to be declared a saint by the Catholic Church. St. Devasahayam is especially venerated in southern India, and his life continues to inspire those committed to equality, faith, and courage under persecution.
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- Anudina Visudhar (Malayalam) – Life of Saints for Everyday
by Msgr. Thomas Moothedan, M.A., D.D. - Saint Companions for Each Day
by A. J. M. Mausolfe & J. K. Mausolfe - US Catholic (Faith in Real Life) – Informational articles
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