Over 10,000 gather in Tamil Nadu as India honors Saint Devasahayam, the first patron saint of the laity, celebrated for his faith and martyrdom.
Newsroom (15/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) More than 10,000 faithful gathered on January 14 at the Catholic Diocese of Kottar in southern Tamil Nadu to celebrate a moment that will be remembered in India’s Catholic history — the declaration of Saint Lazarus Devasahayam as the Patron Saint of the Laity in India.
The thanksgiving Mass, held at the Devasahayam Mount Shrine in Aralvaimozhy, took place at the very site where the 18th-century martyr was executed for refusing to renounce his Christian faith. Presiding over the Mass was Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, who was joined by 16 bishops, about 200 priests, and an equal number of nuns in a service filled with solemn reverence and national pride.
A Moment of National and Spiritual Significance
Pope Leo XVI formally declared Saint Devasahayam the Patron of the Laity in India on September 20, 2025 — a recognition hailed as both a spiritual milestone and a symbol of affirmation for lay Catholics across the nation.
“It is a moment of national significance, as Saint Devasahayam is being recognized as a model of faith and courage for lay Christians in India,” said Bishop Nazarene Soosai of Kottar, speaking with UCA News on January 15.
The bishop described Saint Devasahayam as a beacon of steadfast commitment to Christ, whose faith is often encapsulated in his famous words: “I have decided to follow Jesus, and no one can turn me back.” Bishop Soosai added that devotion to the new patron saint would inspire lay Catholics to deepen their faith and serve both the Church and society — especially amid growing social challenges faced by Indian Christians.
The Life and Martyrdom of Saint Devasahayam
Born into a Hindu family on April 23, 1712, in Nattalam village in present-day Tamil Nadu, Lazarus Devasahayam served at the royal court of King Marthanda Varma of the Travancore kingdom. His life took a dramatic turn in 1745 when he converted to Catholicism under the influence of a Dutch naval commander stationed at the court.
His conversion, viewed as a betrayal by the local rulers, quickly invited suspicion and hostility. In 1749, the king accused him of espionage and treason, leading to his arrest and torture. Historical records describe years of suffering — imprisonment, exile, and brutal attempts to force him to abjure his new faith.
Devasahayam’s refusal to recant culminated on January 14, 1752, when he was shot dead in Aralvaimozhy. His martyrdom cemented his place in India’s religious history as a defiant witness to faith in the face of persecution.
A Saint for the Common Faithful
During the liturgy, Father Z. Devasagaya Raj — former secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India’s office for Dalits and backward classes — emphasized that Devasahayam’s canonization transcends historical remembrance. “It is high time the Church recognized the contributions of lay people,” he said. “Like Devasahayam, there could be several lay people working as foot soldiers.”
Archbishop Girelli echoed this sentiment in his homily, stressing that Saint Devasahayam’s life embodied the Gospel’s call to holiness in everyday life. “His life shows that holiness is meant to be lived in families and in public life,” the nuncio said. “Holiness is simple and within everyone’s reach.”
Legacy and Continuing Devotion
Today, Saint Devasahayam’s mortal remains rest in Saint Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Kottar, in the coastal town of Nagercoil. His sainthood stands as an enduring inspiration for millions of Indian Christians — especially lay believers who see in him a reflection of their own spiritual journey and resilience.
Nearly three centuries after his martyrdom, Saint Devasahayam continues to unite the faithful, not just through prayer, but through the living example of a man who stood firm in truth and love, choosing faith over fear.
- Raju Hasmukh with files form UCA News
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