Apostolic Nuncio: St. Devasahayam Rejected Caste Division

Arulvaimozhi, Kottar 15 Jan 2026: St. Devasahayam rejected the caste system and upheld the dignity of every human person, said Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal. He delivered the message after the thanksgiving Holy Mass marking the declaration of St. Devasahayam as the Patron Saint of the Laity in India.

The Mass was held on 14 January 2026 at Arulvaimozhi, the place of martyrdom of St. Devasahayam, in the Diocese of Kottar, Tamil Nadu a southern state in India.

“St. Devasahayam bore fearless witness to Christ amid persecution. He rejected caste division and affirmed the dignity of every person. He lived Gospel values with courage and integrity,” the Nuncio said.

He added that holiness is not limited to sanctuaries. “It must be lived in families and public life. Holiness is simple and close to all. It is lived each day by seeing Jesus in others. The laity are called to sanctify the Church and the world. St. Devasahayam is a model of faith, courage, and commitment,” he said.

Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras–Mylapore, President of the Tamil Nadu Regional Bishops’ Council, was the main celebrant of the Tamil Mass. More than ten thousand faithful took part.

During the celebration, the decree declaring St. Devasahayam as Patron Saint of the Laity was read in Latin by Archbishop Girelli. The English translation was read by Fr. T. John Rufus, Vicar General of the Diocese of Kottar.

Archbishop Francis Kalist of Pondicherry–Cuddalore preached the homily. Over twenty bishops from Tamil Nadu and Kerala concelebrated along with hundreds of priests.

The CCBI was represented by Bishop Eugene Joseph of Varanasi, Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Laity; Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI; and Fr. Anthony Fernandes, Secretary to the Commission for Laity.

After the Mass, Bishop Nazarene Soosai of Kottar thanked the CCBI and all those who worked for the declaration of St. Devasahayam as Patron Saint of the Laity.

On the same occasion, the Diocese of Kottar officially launched the St. Devasahayam Lay Movement to promote the spirituality of India’s first lay saint.

Pope Leo, through the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, officially confirmed Saint Lazarus Devasahayam as Patron of the Laity in India by a decree dated 16 July 2025.

Saint Lazarus Devasahayam (1712–1752) was a Hindu convert to Christianity and the first layman and martyr from India to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Born Neelakanda Pillai in Nattalam, Tamil Nadu, he served as a court official in the Kingdom of Travancore. Drawn to the Christian faith, he converted in 1745 and was baptized as Lazarus (Devasahayam in Tamil, meaning “God is my help”). His conversion led to persecution, imprisonment, and torture for refusing to renounce his faith, and he was executed in 1752.

He was beatified on 2 December 2012 at Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, in a ceremony presided over by Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Francis canonized him on 15 May 2022 at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, proclaiming him a model of courage, faith, and commitment to justice.

Catholic Connect Reporter